HOUSTON, Texas — The Texas Legislature has passed Senate Bill 17, a measure aimed at restricting land purchases in the state by individuals and entities with ties to China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The bill now awaits final approval from Governor Greg Abbott, who has signaled his support and intention to sign it into law.
Senate Bill 17, introduced by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R–Brenham), seeks to address national security concerns by preventing foreign adversaries from acquiring land in Texas.
The Texas Senate approved the bill with a 25–6 vote after the House passed it by an 85–57 margin.
If enacted, the law would prohibit land acquisitions by individuals, companies, and government-linked entities from countries designated as foreign adversaries by the U.S. government.
The restrictions would apply to both rural and urban land, affecting residential, commercial, and agricultural properties.
Governor Abbott’s spokesperson, Renae Eze, stated that the governor supports efforts to “protect Texans from hostile foreign nations.”
The legislation allows the governor, in consultation with state security agencies, to update the list of restricted countries as needed. It also mandates periodic reviews of foreign land ownership to assess potential security risks.
