Today, the Texas Legislature fully passed Senate Bill 17, which prohibits hostile foreign entities from obtaining land in Texas. The bill now heads to Governor Abbott’s desk for signing.
“With the passage of Senate Bill 17, Texas has taken a bold and necessary step to protect our land, our economy, and our national security from foreign adversaries. This is a victory for every Texan who believes our critical infrastructure and agricultural land should never be controlled by regimes that seek to undermine American values. The Legislature has sent a clear message: Texas is not for sale to the Chinese Communist Party or any hostile foreign power,” said Chuck DeVore, Chief National Initiatives Officer for TPPF. “We are incredibly grateful for the leadership of Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, Chair Lois Kolkhorst, and Chair Cole Hefner for getting this critical legislation across the finish line.”
“Senate Bill 17 strengthens Texas’s longstanding commitment to private property rights by ensuring that land ownership remains in the hands of those who respect our constitutional principles,” said Jose Melendez, Campaign Director for TPPF’s Taxpayer Protection Project. “By preventing foreign adversaries from acquiring Texas land, we’re not only protecting national security but preserving the integrity of private landownership for future generations of Texans.”