New Texas Law Prevents Land Sales To CCP Members

Texas will ban individuals and companies with ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from purchasing land in the state under a new law set to take effect on September 1. The law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott, restricts foreign ownership of residential property, agricultural land, mineral deposits, and water rights across Texas. The legislation targets nations designated as national security threats, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. The governor has the authority to add more countries to the restricted list. With this law, Texas joins a growing number of states regulating foreign ownership of land, with 22 states enacting similar laws between January 2023 and July 2024. State Senator Lois Kolkhorst hailed the Texas measures as "the strongest national security bill that this nation has ever seen from any state." The law allows people from designated nations living in the US legally to purchase residential property only if it serves as their primary residence. It restricts members of the ruling political party or any subdivision of the ruling political party in these nations from purchasing property. The law prohibits individuals acting as agents or on behalf of a designated country from acquiring land and limits property leases to less than a year at a time. The bill passed in the state Senate and House with significant majorities, with supporters arguing it will prevent hostile foreign nations from buying up Texas land and exposing the state to significant threats.