A bill passed by the Texas Senate on Wednesday would prohibit citizens of certain countries from owning land in Texas.
The law targets any nation listed on the Director of National Intelligence’s National Threat Assessment three consecutive years. Four countries currently meet this criteria: China, Russia Iran and North Korea.
The original bill named these four countries specifically, but the final version allowed for the removal of a country from the list if it was removed from the National Threat Assessment because there had been a regime change. The final version of this bill will still allow dual citizens and lawful permanent residents to purchase land.
Lois Kolkhorst (a Republican Texas Senator who introduced the bill) told Fox News Digital that the bill strikes a balance between national security and allowing people to live here, live their lives, and experience the American Dream.
The bill states that foreign ownership of land is prohibited in areas such as agricultural, oil, timber and mineral-bearing regions.
“Food security is a national security issue.” Kolkhorst stated that we must protect oil and gas, rare earths, timber, and our rare Earth materials. This is a matter of national security. “This is a national security issue. That’s why I tied the prohibitions to the threat assessment.”
Kolkhorst trimmed the bill after receiving input from constituents as well as colleagues in the legislature. However, some legislators still contend that it is too broad.
Gene Wu, a Texas state representative and Democrat representing parts of Houston said, “Even after the amendments, this legislation continues to take away rights from an entire class of individuals without due process, solely based on their nationality.” “National Security is a serious matter, but legislation should only be aimed at foreign governments and their agents if we’re concerned about their actions.”
Other states have passed similar legislation in order to prevent hostile foreign governments gaining a foothold by buying land.
The North Carolina House of Representatives passed unanimously a bill Wednesday that would prohibit China, Russia and other hostile foreign governments from purchasing farmland or real estate near military bases.
Florida legislators are considering multiple bills that would ban hostile foreign entities from purchasing farmland.
Last month, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) introduced a national bill that would prohibit Chinese citizens from buying farmland or real estate in the U.S. unless they had been granted asylum as refugees, or were legally admitted to the country for permanent residence.
