# Texas SB 17: 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.

Texas SB 17, 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., is a 89th Legislature Regular Session Senate bill sponsored by Paul Bettencourt (Republican), Brian Birdwell (Republican), Donna Campbell (Republican) and 18 others; status signed, last action 2025-06-20 (Effective on 9/1/25) (as of 2026-10-19).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB17-89R
- As of: 2026-10-19
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Texas SB 17
- State: Texas
- Session: 89th Legislature Regular Session
- Title: 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.
- Status: signed
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-02-20
- Last action: 2025-06-20, Effective on 9/1/25
- Sponsors: 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
- Cosponsors: 69
- Subjects: Agriculture, Aliens, Property Interests--Real Property, INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS, ATTORNEY GENERAL, SECRETARY OF STATE
- Touches household money: no
- Roll calls: 27 (1,921 yes, 1,101 no in all)
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 4

## Summary

No summary available.

## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read

- Covered individuals face felony purchase penalties: cost, high. 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…
- Prohibited buyers face forced property sales: cost, high. 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…
- Companies face large property purchase penalties: cost, low. 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 t…
- Foreign buyer limits with homebuying exceptions: mixed, high. 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. Covere…

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Paul Bettencourt (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Brian Birdwell (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Donna Campbell (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Brandon Creighton (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Pete Flores (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Brent Hagenbuch (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Bob Hall (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Cole Hefner, House
- Sponsor: Adam Hinojosa (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (Democratic), Senate
- Sponsor: Joan Huffman (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Phil King (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Lois Kolkhorst (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: John McQueeney, House
- Sponsor: Will Metcalf, House
- Sponsor: Mayes Middleton (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Tan Parker (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Jared Patterson, House
- Sponsor: Charles Schwertner (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: Kevin Sparks (Republican), Senate
- Sponsor: David Spiller, House
- Cosponsor: Daniel Alders, House
- Cosponsor: Trent Ashby, House
- Cosponsor: Jeff Barry, House
- Cosponsor: Cecil Bell Jr., House
- Cosponsor: Keith Bell, House
- Cosponsor: Greg Bonnen, House
- Cosponsor: Brad Buckley, House
- Cosponsor: Benjamin Bumgarner, House
- Cosponsor: Briscoe Cain, House
- Cosponsor: Giovanni Capriglione, House
- Cosponsor: David Cook, House
- Cosponsor: Charles Cunningham, House
- Cosponsor: Pat Curry, House
- Cosponsor: Drew Darby, House
- Cosponsor: Mano DeAyala, House
- Cosponsor: Jay Dean, House
- Cosponsor: Mark Dorazio, House
- Cosponsor: Paul Dyson, House
- Cosponsor: Caroline Fairly, House
- Cosponsor: Gary Gates, House
- Cosponsor: Stan Gerdes, House
- Cosponsor: Charlie Geren, House
- Cosponsor: Ryan Guillen, House
- Cosponsor: Hancock
- Cosponsor: Cody Harris, House
- Cosponsor: Caroline Harris Davila, House
- Cosponsor: Richard Hayes, House
- Cosponsor: Hillary Hickland, House
- Cosponsor: Janis Holt, House
- Cosponsor: Andy Hopper, House
- Cosponsor: Bryan Hughes (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Lacey Hull, House
- Cosponsor: Carrie Isaac, House
- Cosponsor: Stan Kitzman, House
- Cosponsor: Stan Lambert, House
- Cosponsor: Brooks Landgraf, House
- Cosponsor: Jeff Leach, House
- Cosponsor: Terri Leo Wilson, House
- Cosponsor: Mitch Little, House
- Cosponsor: Janie Lopez, House
- Cosponsor: AJ Louderback, House
- Cosponsor: David Lowe, House
- Cosponsor: John Lujan, House
- Cosponsor: Shelley Luther, House
- Cosponsor: Don McLaughlin, House
- Cosponsor: Morgan Meyer, House
- Cosponsor: Robert Nichols (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Candy Noble, House
- Cosponsor: Tom Oliverson, House
- Cosponsor: Angelia Orr, House
- Cosponsor: Dennis Paul, House
- Cosponsor: Angela Paxton (Republican), Senate
- Cosponsor: Dade Phelan, House
- Cosponsor: Katrina Pierson, House
- Cosponsor: Keresa Richardson, House
- Cosponsor: Schatzline
- Cosponsor: Alan Schoolcraft, House
- Cosponsor: Joanne Shofner, House
- Cosponsor: Shelby Slawson, House
- Cosponsor: John T. Smithee, House
- Cosponsor: Valoree Swanson, House
- Cosponsor: Carl H. Tepper, House
- Cosponsor: Steve Toth, House
- Cosponsor: Ellen Troxclair, House
- Cosponsor: Cody Vasut, House
- Cosponsor: Denise Villalobos, House
- Cosponsor: Wes Virdell, House
- Cosponsor: Trey Wharton, House
- Cosponsor: Terry M. Wilson, House

## Roll call votes

| Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2025-05-30 | Senate | Record vote | pass | 23 | 8 |   |
| 2025-05-29 | House | Record vote | pass | 85 | 57 |   |
| 2025-05-09 | House | Record vote | pass | 85 | 58 |   |
| 2025-05-09 | House | Record vote | pass | 86 | 59 |   |
| 2025-05-09 | House | Record vote | pass | 59 | 83 |   |
| 2025-05-09 | House | Record vote | pass | 84 | 61 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 82 | 62 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 120 | 19 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 86 | 59 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 89 | 56 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 84 | 19 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 86 | 59 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 85 | 9 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 81 | 60 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 84 | 55 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 86 | 58 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 86 | 58 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 80 | 60 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 88 | 53 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 85 | 60 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 91 | 0 |   |
| 2025-05-08 | House | Record vote | pass | 84 | 59 |   |
| 2025-03-19 | Senate | Record vote | pass | 24 | 7 |   |
| 2025-03-19 | Senate | Record vote | pass | 24 | 7 |   |
| 2025-03-19 | Senate | Record vote | pass | 24 | 7 |   |
| 2025-03-19 | Senate | Record vote | pass | 24 | 7 |   |
|   | House | Committee vote: Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs | pass | 6 | 1 |   |

## Actions (148)

- 2025-06-20: Effective on 9/1/25 (House)
- 2025-06-20: Signed by the Governor (House)
- 2025-06-01: Sent to the Governor (House)
- 2025-06-01: Signed in the House (House)
- 2025-05-31: Signed in the Senate (Senate)
- 2025-05-31: Reported enrolled (Senate)
- 2025-05-31: Senate adopts conf. comm. report-reported (House)
- 2025-05-30: Record vote (Senate)
- 2025-05-30: Senate adopts conference committee report (Senate)
- 2025-05-29: House adopts conf. comm. report-reported (Senate)
- 2025-05-29: Reason for vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-29: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-29: Record vote (RV#4047) (House)
- 2025-05-29: House adopts conference committee report (House)
- 2025-05-24: Conf. Comm. Report distributed (House)
- 2025-05-23: Conference committee report filed (Senate)
- 2025-05-20: House appoints conferees-reported (Senate)
- 2025-05-20: House grants request for conf comm-reported (Senate)
- 2025-05-19: House appoints conferees (House)
- 2025-05-19: House grants request for conference committee (House)
- 2025-05-14: Senate appoints conferees-reported (House)
- 2025-05-14: Senate requests conference committee-reported (House)
- 2025-05-14: Senate refuses to concur-reported (House)
- 2025-05-14: Senate appoints conferees (Senate)
- 2025-05-14: Senate requests conference committee (Senate)
- 2025-05-14: Senate refuses to concur (Senate)
- 2025-05-14: Read (Senate)
- 2025-05-14: House amendment(s) laid before the Senate (Senate)
- 2025-05-12: House passage as amended reported (Senate)
- 2025-05-09: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-09: Record vote (RV#1881) (House)
- 2025-05-09: Passed (House)
- 2025-05-09: Record vote (RV#1880) (House)
- 2025-05-09: Amendment fails of adoption (3-Toth, Olcott, Schatzline, Harrison, Isaac, Hopper, Lowe, Little, Luther, Virdell, Morgan, ...) (House)
- 2025-05-09: Record vote (RV#1879) (House)
- 2025-05-09: Amendment fails of adoption (2-Money) (House)
- 2025-05-09: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-09: Record vote (RV#1878) (House)
- 2025-05-09: Amendment fails of adoption (1-Wu) (House)
- 2025-05-09: Read 3rd time (House)
- 2025-05-09: Additional sponsor(s) authorized (House)
- 2025-05-09: Rules suspended (House)
- 2025-05-08: Reason for vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1861) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Passed to 3rd reading as amended (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1860) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amended (15-Money) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1859) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amended (14-Schatzline) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1858) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment tabled (13-Rosenthal) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1857) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment tabled (12-Rosenthal) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1856) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment tabled (11-Reynolds) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Point of order withdrawn (Rule 11, Section 2) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1854) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment tabled (10-Anchía) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1853) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amended (9-Little) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1852) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment tabled (8-Wu) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1851) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment adopted as amended (6-Little) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1850) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment amended (7-Toth and Schatzline) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment(s) offered (6-Little) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1849) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment tabled (5-Gervin-Hawkins) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Reason for vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1848) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amended (4-Shaheen and Button) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1847) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment tabled (3-Anchía) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1846) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment tabled (2-Turner) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal (House)
- 2025-05-08: Record vote (RV#1845) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amended (1-Little) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Amendment(s) offered (1-Little) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Point of order withdrawn (Rule 4, Section 32) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Laid out as postponed business (House)
- 2025-05-08: Postponed (5/8/25 4:00 PM) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Laid out as postponed business (House)
- 2025-05-08: Postponed (5/8/25 1:00 PM) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Motion withdrawn (House)
- 2025-05-08: Vote reconsidered (House)
- 2025-05-08: Postponed (5/12/25 10:00 AM) (House)
- 2025-05-08: Read 2nd time (House)
- 2025-05-08: Placed on Major State Calendar (House)
- 2025-05-06: Considered in Calendars (House)
- 2025-05-06: Committee report sent to Calendars (House)
- 2025-05-06: Committee report distributed (House)
- 2025-05-06: Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator (House)
- 2025-05-02: Reported favorably as substituted (House)
- 2025-05-02: Committee substitute considered in committee (House)
- 2025-05-02: Considered in formal meeting (House)
- 2025-05-02: Recommitted to committee (House)
- 2025-05-01: Committee report sent to Calendars (House)
- 2025-05-01: Committee report distributed (House)
- 2025-05-01: Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator (House)
- 2025-04-24: Reported favorably as substituted (House)
- 2025-04-24: Committee substitute considered in committee (House)
- 2025-04-24: Considered in formal meeting (House)
- 2025-04-24: Scheduled for formal meeting on . . . (House)
- 2025-04-09: Referred to Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs (House)
- 2025-04-09: Read first time (House)
- 2025-03-20: Received from the Senate (House)
- 2025-03-19: Reported engrossed (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Record vote (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Passed (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Read 3rd time (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Record vote (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Rules suspended-Regular order of business (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Record vote (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Record vote (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Rules suspended-Regular order of business (Senate)
- 2025-03-19: Co-author authorized (Senate)
- 2025-03-18: Placed on intent calendar (Senate)
- 2025-03-17: Committee report printed and distributed (Senate)
- 2025-03-17: Reported favorably as substituted (Senate)
- 2025-03-13: Vote taken in committee (Senate)
- 2025-03-13: Considered in public hearing (Senate)
- 2025-03-10: Left pending in committee (Senate)
- 2025-03-10: Considered in public hearing (Senate)
- 2025-03-06: Left pending in committee (Senate)
- 2025-03-06: Testimony taken in committee (Senate)
- 2025-03-06: Considered in public hearing (Senate)
- 2025-03-06: Scheduled for public hearing on . . . (Senate)
- 2025-02-25: Co-author authorized (Senate)
- 2025-02-20: Referred to State Affairs (Senate)
- 2025-02-20: Read first time (Senate)
- 2025-02-20: Filed (Senate)
- 2025-02-20: Received by the Secretary of the Senate (Senate)

## Bill text

- Engrossed: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017E.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017E.PDF)
- Enrolled: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017F.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017F.PDF)
- House Committee Report: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017H.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017H.PDF)
- Introduced: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017I.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017I.PDF)
- Senate Committee Report: [HTML](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017S.HTM), [PDF](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017S.PDF)

## Related bills

- SB 2111: Relating to legal representation of indigent persons in this state and to proceedings before a magistrate including the appointment of counsel for an indigent… (vetoed)
- SB 1838: Relating to the appointment of attorneys ad litem and the compensation of certain attorneys ad litem in suits affecting the parent-child relationship filed by… (vetoed)
- SB 3: Relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products; req… (vetoed)
- SB 2878: Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government, including court… (vetoed)
- SB 646: Relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans. (signed)
- HB 4325: Relating to civil liability for prohibited barratry. (became law)

## Sources
- [Engrossed (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017E.HTM)
- [Engrossed (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017E.PDF)
- [Enrolled (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017F.HTM)
- [Enrolled (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017F.PDF)
- [House Committee Report (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017H.HTM)
- [House Committee Report (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017H.PDF)
- [Introduced (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017I.HTM)
- [Introduced (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017I.PDF)
- [Senate Committee Report (HTML)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/html/SB00017S.HTM)
- [Senate Committee Report (PDF)](http://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/89R/billtext/pdf/SB00017S.PDF)

## Related
- [SB 2111: Relating to legal representation of indigent persons in this state and to proce…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB2111-89R)
- [SB 1838: Relating to the appointment of attorneys ad litem and the compensation of certa…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB1838-89R)
- [SB 3: Relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB3-89R)
- [SB 2878: Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures re…](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB2878-89R)
- [SB 646: Relating to repayment of certain mental health professional education loans.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB646-89R)
- [HB 4325: Relating to civil liability for prohibited barratry.](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-HB4325-89R)
- [Texas bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/texas/bills)
- [Texas state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/texas)
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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/TX-SB17-89R (as of 2026-10-19).