Texas lawmakers are accusing what they call the most powerful legislative effort in the United States has not yet stopped hostile foreign powers from buying land in Lone Star states.
With the support of Republican State Rep. Cole Hefner and State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Senate Bill 17 (SB17) aims to block governments and entities related to countries such as China, Iran, Iran, North Korea and Russia to gain a foothold on Texas land.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Hefner described SB17 as a “model legislation” aimed at closing land purchases that pose a national security threat.
“The bill is about action and affiliation, not race, not nationality,” Hefner said. “If you act on behalf of a hostile foreign opponent, we will take back that land.”
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Center Texas Rep. Cole Hefner spoke with fellow representatives from the Austin State Capitol House Chamber. (Tamir Kalifa/Getty image)
The bill responds directly to real-world events.
Hefner listed the retired Chinese general in 2021 who received 140,000 acres of land near Laurin Air Force Base.
"We (we also see foreign actors or hostile foreign opponents trying to buy land near the food processing plant," Hefner said. "It's just something we found, the more we find it, the more we find there are a lot of things we don't know about, and a lot of vulnerability."
The bill prohibits the purchase of real estate under the Director of National Intelligence Annual Assessment, entities and individuals associated with governments designated as national security threats, if these purchases pose a risk to public health or security.
The law authorizes the state’s attorney general to investigate through a court-ordered receiver to prevent or even reverse such land transactions.
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Pump jack in a field in Lulin, Texas. (Elizabeth Conley/Houston Chronicle by Getty Images)
According to SB17, "real estate" includes agricultural, commercial, industrial and residential land as well as mines, minerals and timber. The law includes key exemptions to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and property intended to be a personal homestead.
“The emphasis of our bill is that if we can prove we are agents, it can apply to anyone,” Hefner said. “So even if they come from a friendly country, but they are actually representing foreign opponents, they will be bound by the bill.”
The bill gives the Attorney General the general right to investigate and authorizes the recipient to manage or sell property that violates the law.
Hefner struggled to backfire to critics who claimed the bill was xenophobic. “It has nothing to do with skin color or race,” he said. “It’s about protecting Texans and Americans from foreign espionage and influence.”
The Texas State Capitol is located in Austin. (Brendan Bell/Getty Image)
He also stressed that SB17 should not be regarded as a partisan move. "It's not a partisan issue. It's about national security. It's about keeping our citizens safe," Hefner said. "It's not about Republicans or Democrats, it's not liberal or conservative. It's just about taking care of our people.
“And I believe that’s the first responsibility of the government is to make sure people can live and be safe in their state.”
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SB17 will take effect on September 1. Hefner said he hopes the legislation will be triggered nationwide.
"We need to wake up," he said. "It's about protecting the motherland, not playing a political role."
Nick Butler of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.