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Urgent Action Needed: Protect Texas from Foreign Adversaries Buying Our Land!
Texas is facing an escalating threat as hostile nations, including China, continue to acquire valuable land and strategic assets within our borders. It’s time for decisive action to safeguard our state’s security and sovereignty. This issue is not just a matter of practicality—it’s a top priority for the Republican Party of Texas.
HB 17, introduced by Representative Cole Hefner, is set to be heard on Wednesday, April 2nd in the House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veteran’s Affairs. While this legislation aims to address the problem, it contains dangerous loopholes that would still allow individuals and entities from hostile nations to buy and lease Texas land.
URGENT CALL TO ACTION: If we want to effectively stop foreign adversaries from acquiring Texas land, HB 17 must be amended to close these loopholes. If left unchanged, we cannot support this bill.
NOW is the time to act! CALL and EMAIL the Republican members of the committee TODAY and demand a committee substitute that closes the loopholes to ensure this bill truly protects Texas. Members and their contacts are listed below.
Make public comment on HB 17, here: https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c308
Ask for the following loopholes to be closed:
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Remove Domicile (legal residence) language and Replace with Citizen: The bill must prohibit citizens of hostile nations from buying real property not just those domiciled in hostile nations, as this can be easily manipulated.
- Remove Residency Exception
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Eliminate Leasing and Investment Exemptions
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Include stronger enforcement mechanisms, with dedicated resources for monitoring and investigating complex ownership structures, including shell companies and trusts.
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Include Retroactive Application: The bills must apply retroactively to existing foreign-owned land, ensuring that no adversarial entity can retain ownership of land that poses a national security risk.
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Include provisions that impose penalties on sellers, brokers, and title companies that facilitate prohibited land transactions, including criminal penalties for violations.
- Close Penalty Gaps and Deterrence Weakness:
The bills should mandate divestiture in all cases
or escalate penalties for repeat offenders
R) Cole Hefner Chair
cole.hefner@house.texas.gov
512-463-0271
(D) Ray Lopez Vice-Chair
ray.lopez@house.texas.gov
512-463-0669
(D) Terry Canales
terry.canales@house.texas.gov
512-463-0426
(D) Phil Cortez
philip.cortez@house.texas.gov
512-463-0269
(R) Mark Dorazio
mark.dorazio@house.texas.gov
512-463-0646
(R) Hillary Hickland
hillary.hickland@house.texas.gov
512-463-0630
(R) Janis Holt
janis.holt@house.texas.gov
512-463-0570
(R) Carrie Isaac
carrie.isaac@house.texas.gov
512-463-0325
(R) AJ Louderback
aj.louderback@house.texas.gov
512-463-0456
(R) Don McLaughlin
don.mclaughlin@house.texas.gov
511-246-3019
(R) Katrina Pierson
katrina.pierson@house.texas.gov
512-463-0484
Don't let Texas become vulnerable—take action NOW!
The Republican Party of Texas OPPOSES HB 17 by Rep. Hefner, unless amended to close the loopholes.
*Ratified via Resolution on 3-22-25 by the body of
the SREC 60-1-2.
For the protection of Texas,
Deborah Fite
Chair, Texas Is Not For Sale
Christin Bentley, SD-1 SREC
Gaylyn Devine, SD-11 SREC
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