State Representative David Spiller unveils legislation prohibiting foreign entities identified on the Annual Threat Assessment of the United States National Intelligence Community from purchasing or acquiring title to real property in Texas.
Spiller has made House Bill 191 and House Bill 243 a priority for the 89th Legislative Session, as prefiling began for members of the Texas Legislature. Concerns have been raised regarding certain foreign governments owning or leasing land in the State of Texas, and the threat that they pose to our state and nation. House Bill 191 and House Bill 243 seek to address these concerns in the following ways:
House Bill 191 prohibits the four countries identified in the Annual Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community (China, Russia, Iran and North Korea) that pose a risk to our national security from purchasing or acquiring title to real property in Texas. It is important to note that Spiller’s bill (1) doesn’t target individuals, but only entities controlled by one of the designated countries, (2) isn’t limited to ag land, (3) isn’t limited to purchasing land, but also leasing land, and (4) isn’t limited to the surface estate, but also minerals.
Additionally, House Bill 243 allows the Texas Attorney General to use the state’s power of eminent domain to reduce vulnerabilities, minimize consequences, and identify and disrupt threats from foreign landowners who use their ownership of Texas land in a threatening manner.
“As a practicing attorney of 38 years handling contested real estate litigation, as the owner of the oldest family-owned title company in the State of Texas, and as someone who routinely forms and sets up entities with the Texas Secretary of State’s office and oversees their operation, I feel that I understand the issues and challenges very well. It’s complicated, but something must be done. I believe these bills properly address those threats,” said Representative Spiller.