TexasSB 1789th Legislature Regular SessionSenate

Relating to the purchase or acquisition of an interest in real property by certain aliens or foreign entities; creating a criminal offense; providing a civil penalty.

Sponsored By: Paul Bettencourt (Republican), Brian Birdwell (Republican), Donna Campbell (Republican), Brandon Creighton (Republican), Pete Flores (Republican), Brent Hagenbuch (Republican), Bob Hall (Republican), Cole Hefner, Adam Hinojosa (Republican), Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (Democratic), Joan Huffman (Republican), Phil King (Republican), Lois Kolkhorst (Republican), John McQueeney, Will Metcalf, Mayes Middleton (Republican), Tan Parker (Republican), Jared Patterson, Charles Schwertner (Republican), Kevin Sparks (Republican), David Spiller

Signed by Governor

AgricultureAliensProperty Interests--Real PropertyINTERNATIONAL RELATIONSATTORNEY GENERALSECRETARY OF STATE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.

Covered individuals face felony purchase penalties

Beginning September 1, 2025, covered individuals domiciled in designated countries face criminal penalties for prohibited Texas property acquisitions. Knowingly or intentionally acquiring a property interest in violation of the restrictions is a state jail felony. Acquisitions allowed by the law's exemptions or exceptions do not violate this prohibition.

Prohibited buyers face forced property sales

The Texas Attorney General must create purchase-review procedures and rules, and can investigate suspected violations using records demands and discovery. The Secretary of State must provide ownership or control records and serve written ownership questions when requested. The Attorney General can sue over the property where it lies, must record notice in each affected county, and can refer violations to law enforcement. For acquisitions covered beginning September 1, 2025, a court finding a violation must order the buyer to give up the interest. The court must appoint a receiver to manage the property and sell or otherwise dispose of that interest. Sale proceeds pay liens and the State's reasonable enforcement costs first; the buyer receives any remaining money.

Foreign buyer limits with homebuying exceptions

Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas bars specified foreign governments, companies, organizations, and individuals from acquiring Texas property interests. Covered buyers include individuals domiciled in designated countries and entities with specified headquarters, ownership, or control ties. Covered property includes homes, farms, commercial and industrial property, groundwater, water rights, minerals, mines, quarries, and standing timber. Country designations draw on the three most recent U.S. intelligence Annual Threat Assessments. The Governor can add or remove country or entity designations after consulting the Homeland Security Council and Department of Public Safety. Status is assessed when property is acquired; Governor designation changes apply only to acquisitions on or after the change date. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, qualifying entities they own or control, and leases under one year are exempt. A person domiciled in a designated country can buy a residential homestead if lawfully present and residing in the United States when acquiring it. Earlier acquisitions are not covered, and a violation does not automatically void the purchase contract or property transfer.

Companies face large property purchase penalties

For covered acquisitions beginning September 1, 2025, the Texas Attorney General can sue companies or entities that violate the restrictions. After a court finds a violation, the company or entity owes the State a civil penalty. The penalty is the greater of $250,000 or 50% of the market value of the property interest involved.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Paul Bettencourt

    Republican • Senate

  • Brian Birdwell

    Republican • Senate

  • Donna Campbell

    Republican • Senate

  • Brandon Creighton

    Republican • Senate

  • Pete Flores

    Republican • Senate

  • Brent Hagenbuch

    Republican • Senate

  • Bob Hall

    Republican • Senate

  • Cole Hefner

    House

  • Adam Hinojosa

    Republican • Senate

  • Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joan Huffman

    Republican • Senate

  • Phil King

    Republican • Senate

  • Lois Kolkhorst

    Republican • Senate

  • John McQueeney

    House

  • Will Metcalf

    House

  • Mayes Middleton

    Republican • Senate

  • Tan Parker

    Republican • Senate

  • Jared Patterson

    House

  • Charles Schwertner

    Republican • Senate

  • Kevin Sparks

    Republican • Senate

  • David Spiller

    House

Cosponsors

  • Daniel Alders

    House

  • Trent Ashby

    House

  • Jeff Barry

    House

  • Cecil Bell Jr.

    House

  • Keith Bell

    House

  • Greg Bonnen

    House

  • Brad Buckley

    House

  • Benjamin Bumgarner

    House

  • Briscoe Cain

    House

  • Giovanni Capriglione

    House

  • David Cook

    House

  • Charles Cunningham

    House

  • Pat Curry

    House

  • Drew Darby

    House

  • Mano DeAyala

    House

  • Jay Dean

    House

  • Mark Dorazio

    House

  • Paul Dyson

    House

  • Caroline Fairly

    House

  • Gary Gates

    House

  • Stan Gerdes

    House

  • Charlie Geren

    House

  • Ryan Guillen

    House

  • Hancock

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Cody Harris

    House

  • Caroline Harris Davila

    House

  • Richard Hayes

    House

  • Hillary Hickland

    House

  • Janis Holt

    House

  • Andy Hopper

    House

  • Bryan Hughes

    Republican • Senate

  • Lacey Hull

    House

  • Carrie Isaac

    House

  • Stan Kitzman

    House

  • Stan Lambert

    House

  • Brooks Landgraf

    House

  • Jeff Leach

    House

  • Terri Leo Wilson

    House

  • Mitch Little

    House

  • Janie Lopez

    House

  • AJ Louderback

    House

  • David Lowe

    House

  • John Lujan

    House

  • Shelley Luther

    House

  • Don McLaughlin

    House

  • Morgan Meyer

    House

  • Robert Nichols

    Republican • Senate

  • Candy Noble

    House

  • Tom Oliverson

    House

  • Angelia Orr

    House

  • Dennis Paul

    House

  • Angela Paxton

    Republican • Senate

  • Dade Phelan

    House

  • Katrina Pierson

    House

  • Keresa Richardson

    House

  • Schatzline

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Alan Schoolcraft

    House

  • Joanne Shofner

    House

  • Shelby Slawson

    House

  • John T. Smithee

    House

  • Valoree Swanson

    House

  • Carl H. Tepper

    House

  • Steve Toth

    House

  • Ellen Troxclair

    House

  • Cody Vasut

    House

  • Denise Villalobos

    House

  • Wes Virdell

    House

  • Trey Wharton

    House

  • Terry M. Wilson

    House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 1,921 • No: 1,101

Senate vote • 5/30/2025

Record vote

Yes: 23 • No: 8

House vote • 5/29/2025

Record vote

Yes: 85 • No: 57

House vote • 5/9/2025

Record vote

Yes: 85 • No: 58

House vote • 5/9/2025

Record vote

Yes: 86 • No: 59

House vote • 5/9/2025

Record vote

Yes: 59 • No: 83

House vote • 5/9/2025

Record vote

Yes: 84 • No: 61

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 82 • No: 62

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 120 • No: 19

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 86 • No: 59

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 89 • No: 56

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 84 • No: 19

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 86 • No: 59

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 85 • No: 9

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 81 • No: 60

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 84 • No: 55

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 86 • No: 58

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 86 • No: 58

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 80 • No: 60

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 88 • No: 53

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 85 • No: 60

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 91 • No: 0

House vote • 5/8/2025

Record vote

Yes: 84 • No: 59

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Record vote

Yes: 24 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Record vote

Yes: 24 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Record vote

Yes: 24 • No: 7

Senate vote • 3/19/2025

Record vote

Yes: 24 • No: 7

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Yes: 6 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    6/20/2025House
  3. Sent to the Governor

    6/1/2025House
  4. Signed in the House

    6/1/2025House
  5. Signed in the Senate

    5/31/2025Senate
  6. Reported enrolled

    5/31/2025Senate
  7. Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported

    5/31/2025House
  8. Record vote

    5/30/2025Senate
  9. Senate adopts conference committee report

    5/30/2025Senate
  10. House adopts conf. comm. report-reported

    5/29/2025Senate
  11. Reason for vote recorded in Journal

    5/29/2025House
  12. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/29/2025House
  13. Record vote (RV#4047)

    5/29/2025House
  14. House adopts conference committee report

    5/29/2025House
  15. Conf. Comm. Report distributed

    5/24/2025House
  16. Conference committee report filed

    5/23/2025Senate
  17. House appoints conferees-reported

    5/20/2025Senate
  18. House grants request for conf comm-reported

    5/20/2025Senate
  19. House appoints conferees

    5/19/2025House
  20. House grants request for conference committee

    5/19/2025House
  21. Senate appoints conferees-reported

    5/14/2025House
  22. Senate requests conference committee-reported

    5/14/2025House
  23. Senate refuses to concur-reported

    5/14/2025House
  24. Senate appoints conferees

    5/14/2025Senate
  25. Senate requests conference committee

    5/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

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