During the 89th Legislative Session held in 2025, the Texas Legislature passed SB 17 that created a new state law restricting the purchase or acquisition of Texas real property by certain individuals and entities tied to designated foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.
The law is considered one of the strongest of its kind in the nation. It’s designed to address national security concerns and prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring Texas land or gaining access to critical infrastructure.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office has prepared a formal set of proposed rules to implement SB 17. Under his new rules, the AG’s office defined compliance requirements that states any professional involved in real estate transactions, including lenders, title companies, insurers, appraisers, and licensed agents will be required to report suspected violations to the attorney general’s office.
The AG’s office will then have investigative and enforcement authority. “My office will use every tool available to prevent our nation’s enemies from gaining a foothold on Texas soil,” Paxton said. “These proposed rules will strengthen the reporting of suspicious activity and better protect our state from hostile foreign actors,” he continued.
Texas Scorecard reported in more detail how these rules will work.
Public comments can be submitted by mail. Address them to the : General Counsel Division, Attn: Rule Comments, Office of the Attorney General, P.O. Box 12548, Austin, Texas 78711-2548.
You can also comment by email at OAGRuleCommentsCh67@oag.texas.gov
If your state has not adopted similar legislation, download a copy of SB 17 above and take it to your elected state legislative members for adoption in your state. It’s time to take a stand and prevent our nation’s foreign enemies from owning land in America.
