The Texas House passed Senate Bill 17, legislation aimed at restricting land purchases by foreign adversaries.
While protecting Texas land is a legislative priority of the Republican Party of Texas, some activists have taken issue with the legislation as passed out of the Senate for not being strong enough. While a series of amendments passed Thursday night aimed to strengthen the bill, some say another could have the effect of gutting it should it be in the final version.
Carried in the House by State Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant), the bill prohibits foreign governments and entities from countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea from acquiring real estate in Texas. It also includes provisions to allow the attorney general to investigate violations and initiate divestment actions in court.
Introducing the bill, Hefner praised it as a national model.
“Senate Bill 17 is the strongest, most comprehensive and broad law in the nation that protects us from hostile foreign ownership of our land,” he said. “Senate Bill 17 thoughtfully strikes a balance by exercising appropriate police powers reserved for the state within the bounds of the Texas and United States constitutions.”
Early on, members adopted a controversial amendment by State Rep. Matt Shaheen (R-Plano), narrowing the scope of who is actually banned from purchasing land. The amendment specifies that individuals from designated countries are only restricted if they are not lawfully present and residing in the United States at the time of the transaction—opening the door for citizens of adversarial nations to purchase land while in the country on student or work visas.
Only 19 lawmakers voted against the amendment, with some lawmakers warning it would “gut” the bill and undermine its purpose. Critics say the amendment shifts the focus from national security threats to immigration status and leaves Texas land vulnerable to foreign influence through legal loopholes.
Another sticking point for conservatives was the bill’s exemption for leasehold interests of up to 99 years—a provision many argue allows foreign entities to effectively gain control of land without technically owning it. An amendment by State Reps. Mitch Little (R-Lewisville) and Steve Toth (R-Conroe) lowered the length of eligible leases to just one year.
During floor debate, State Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth) successfully added an amendment to allow the governor to designate additional countries for inclusion on the banned list, expanding the state’s authority beyond federal intelligence designations.
State Rep. Brent Money (R-Greenville), meanwhile, added an amendment to restore criminal and civil penalties for those violating the law.
Despite the internal party tensions, the bill ultimately passed the House by a vote of 85-60. It requires one more vote before heading back to the Senate, which must decide whether to accept the House changes or negotiate a final version in conference.
Whether or not those changes survive the final stretch, the debate over SB 17 has already exposed sharp divisions within the Republican ranks—not over whether Texas land should be protected, but over how seriously lawmakers are willing to take that mandate.
