Texas House Approves Bill Granting Governor Authority to Ban Foreign Property Buyers
Austin, Texas — Late Thursday, the Texas House voted 85-60 to give the governor increased powers under Senate Bill 17, allowing expansion of the list of countries from which residents and entities could be banned from purchasing property in Texas. The bill originally targeted only nations classified as security threats by the U.S. intelligence director, such as China and Russia.
The amendment, introduced by Republican Rep. Nate Schatzline, aims to allow more immediate responses to perceived threats. "Our governor can act swiftly rather than waiting for a year for that to be added into the [director of national intelligence’s] designated country list," he stated. However, Democrats criticized the move, arguing it grants excessive power to the governor without sufficient oversight. House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu called the amendment "dangerous," highlighting concerns over potential discrimination against Asian Americans.
The bill’s provisions also extend to banning individuals associated with transnational criminal organizations. While Schatzline referenced specific criminal groups, the measure has attracted scrutiny due to its potential impact on Asian communities. Activists fear it could lead to racial profiling and unjust targeting based on ancestry.
This legislation is Sen. Lois Kolkhorst’s second attempt to regulate foreign property ownership, following a previous bill that stalled in the House. Advocates argue that it is essential for protecting Texas land and resources from adversary nations.
With additional amendments reducing exemption periods for property leases to one year, the bill awaits another House vote before returning to the Senate for final approval. If passed, it would become law effective September 1.
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