Abbott signs bills into law preventing foreign adversaries from owning land in Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation Tuesday afternoon that he said will protect the state “against threats from hostile foreign adversaries.” During the signing ceremony Tuesday, Abbott said those foreign adversaries included China, Russia, Iran and North Korea.

“Hostile, foreign adversaries — like China, Iran, Russian and North Korea — as well as foreign terrorists organizations, like Tran de Aragua, must not be allowed to own land in Texas period,” Abbott said.

Abbott was joined for the signing ceremony by Sen. Bryan Hughes, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, Rep. Cold Hefner, Rep. Janie Lopez and Rep. Angela Orr.

“Texans should not have to compete against foreign adversaries when it comes to buying Texas land,” Abbott said.

The three bills signed into law on Tuesday were the following, as explained by Abbott:

• Senate Bill 17: Prohibits foreign adversaries for buying land in Texas
• Senate Bill 1349: Creates a criminal offense for transnational, repression and intimidation
• House Bill 128: Prohibits sister city agreements with foreign adversaries

“Government’s core function is to protect and defend its citizens and its sovereignty,” House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, said. “It has always been the case, that is one of the most important functions it is.

He also said it’s important that Texans step up to protect and make the investment in taking care of the state’s infrastructure.

“The governor signing [these bills] into law is the commitment to do what is important in protecting us against hostile foreign adversaries,” Burrows said.

This all comes after the Texas Legislature voted to make it illegal for citizens of China, North Korea, Iran and Russia to own land if they are not legally residing in the United States, KXAN reported in May.