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Bill > SB17
TX SB17
TX SB17Relating to the purchase or acquisition of an interest in real property by certain aliens or foreign entities; creating a criminal offense; providing a civil penalty.
summary
Introduced
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
In Committee
05/02/2025
05/02/2025
Crossed Over
03/19/2025
03/19/2025
Passed
06/20/2025
06/20/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/20/2025
06/20/2025
Introduced Session
89th Legislature Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT relating to the purchase or acquisition of an interest in real property by certain aliens or foreign entities; creating a criminal offense; providing a civil penalty.
AI Summary
This bill establishes significant restrictions on real property purchases by foreign individuals and entities from countries deemed national security risks, specifically targeting nationals from designated countries like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The legislation creates a comprehensive framework prohibiting certain foreign individuals, governmental entities, and companies from purchasing or acquiring real property in Texas, including agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential properties. The bill requires the governor to consult with homeland security officials to designate countries posing national security threats, and empowers the attorney general to investigate potential violations, with the ability to bring civil actions and refer matters to law enforcement. Violations can result in significant penalties, including a state jail felony for individuals and substantial civil penalties for companies, with potential court-ordered divestiture of property. The bill's findings are based on the U.S. Director of National Intelligence's 2025 Annual Threat Assessment, which highlights concerns about these countries' aggressive economic, technological, and geopolitical strategies. Notably, the law includes some exceptions, such as allowing lawful permanent U.S. residents from designated countries to purchase residential property intended as a homestead.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs, Military Affairs and Security
Sponsors (90)
Paul Bettencourt (R)*,
Brian Birdwell (R)*,
Donna Campbell (R)*,
Brandon Creighton (R)*,
Pete Flores (R)*,
Brent Hagenbuch (R)*,
Bob Hall (R)*,
Cole Hefner (R)*,
Adam Hinojosa (R)*,
Chuy Hinojosa (D)*,
Joan Huffman (R)*,
Phil King (R)*,
Lois Kolkhorst (R)*,
John McQueeney (R)*,
Will Metcalf (R)*,
Mayes Middleton (R)*,
Tan Parker (R)*,
Jared Patterson (R)*,
Charles Schwertner (R)*,
Kevin Sparks (R)*,
David Spiller (R)*,
Daniel Alders (R),
Trent Ashby (R),
Jeffrey Barry (R),
Cecil Bell (R),
Keith Bell (R),
Greg Bonnen (R),
Brad Buckley (R),
Ben Bumgarner (R),
Briscoe Cain (R),
Giovanni Capriglione (R),
David Cook (R),
Charles Cunningham (R),
Pat Curry (R),
Drew Darby (R),
Jay Dean (R),
Mano DeAyala (R),
Mark Dorazio (R),
Paul Dyson (R),
Caroline Fairly (R),
Gary Gates (R),
Stan Gerdes (R),
Charlie Geren (R),
Ryan Guillen (R),
Kelly Hancock (R),
Cody Harris (R),
Caroline Harris Davila (R),
Richard Hayes (R),
Hillary Hickland (R),
Janis Holt (R),
Andy Hopper (R),
Bryan Hughes (R),
Lacey Hull (R),
Carrie Isaac (R),
Stan Kitzman (R),
Stan Lambert (R),
Brooks Landgraf (R),
Jeff Leach (R),
Terri Leo-Wilson (R),
Mitch Little (R),
Janie Lopez (R),
A.J. Louderback (R),
David Lowe (R),
John Lujan (R),
Shelley Luther (R),
Don McLaughlin (R),
Morgan Meyer (R),
Robert Nichols (R),
Candy Noble (R),
Tom Oliverson (R),
Angelia Orr (R),
Dennis Paul (R),
Angela Paxton (R),
Dade Phelan (R),
Katrina Pierson (R),
Keresa Richardson (R),
Nate Schatzline (R),
Alan Schoolcraft (R),
Joanne Shofner (R),
Shelby Slawson (R),
John Smithee (R),
Valoree Swanson (R),
Carl Tepper (R),
Steve Toth (R),
Ellen Troxclair (R),
Cody Vasut (R),
Denise Villalobos (R),
Wesley Virdell (R),
Trey Wharton (R),
Terry Wilson (R),
Last Action
Effective on 9/1/25 (on 06/20/2025)
Official Document
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