Authored by Texas state Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, RBrenham, a bill restricting land ownership in Texas by entities from China and three other countries for security reasons received some push back on claims that the proposal would be discriminatory.
“This is about our national security,” said Kolkhorst. “The bill is meant to protect some of our nation’s most precious resources: land, minerals, military bases.”
Senate Bill 147 would ban the purchase or acquisition of property in Texas by a “governmental entity” of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. Companies headquartered in these four countries or “directly or indirectly controlled” by one of their governments would also be prohibited from owning land.
The four countries were chosen because, “They’re hostile regimes to the United States,” said Kolkhorst.
All four countries have been demonstrated the capability and intent to promote their interests in way that cut against U.S. and allied interests, according to Direction of National Intelligence Avril Haines.
Critics have focused primarily on China, claiming the bill, which originally banned all citizens from the four countries from buying Texas land, would create anti-Asian American sentiment. Some lawmakers and Asian American groups also argued the bill’s initial language would prevent immigrants from buying homes.
Kolkhorst announced an updated version of the bill to ensure its prohibitions would not apply to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including dual citizens, and the purchase of homestead residences.
“The goal of this bill is to legislate common sense safeguards against Russian, North Korean, Chinese, and Iranian authoritarian regimes,” Kolkhorst said in a statement on the changes. “It will not apply to those fleeing the tyranny of those governments who seek freedom in Texas. The committee substitute makes important clarifications, so the law targets agents of these adversarial regimes while not harming innocent Texans in pursuit of the American dream.”
Kolkhorst described how the bill, which is backed by Gov. Greg Abbott, would “preserve” Texas’ real estate, including its farmland, along with rare earth materials, oil and gas facilities, military bases, weapons manufacturers and coastline.
Kolkhorst was referring to the Chinese spy balloon that the U.S. shot down last month after crossing from Alaska to South Carolina. The surveillance aircraft’s days-long flight across the country reenergized concerns among experts and lawmakers over China’s ongoing efforts to buy land across the U.S., with some voices observing a pattern of suspected espionage activities near American military sites.