Bill Is on the Floor Now! Take Action to Protect Texas from Foreign Adversaries Buying Our Land!
May 8, 2025 | Media Inquiries: press@mctxgop.org
From Deborah Fite (SREC SD 7), Chair, Texas Is Not For Sale
This bill is on the floor now! (3pm)
Fellow Texans, the time to act is now. Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), as it currently stands, is a hollow shell—offering the illusion of protection while leaving our great state vulnerable to foreign adversaries. The Republican Party of Texas (RPT) has sounded the alarm, highlighting critical flaws that must be addressed to safeguard our land, resources, and sovereignty.
🔥 Why SB 17 Falls Short
Leasehold Loophole: SB 17 permits foreign entities from designated adversarial nations to acquire leasehold interests in Texas land for terms less than 100 years. This means a foreign adversary could control Texas land for 99 years—effectively a lifetime—without owning it outright. Such long-term control undermines the bill's intent to protect our state's sovereignty.
Ambiguous Restrictions: The bill relies on dynamic federal threat assessments without explicitly naming hostile nations like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This vagueness creates loopholes that adversaries can exploit to acquire Texas land.
Lack of Strong Penalties: SB 17 fails to impose felony-level penalties for violations, undermining its deterrent effect and allowing bad actors to operate with minimal consequences.
No Forfeiture Provisions: The bill does not mandate the forfeiture of funds from prohibited transactions, missing an opportunity to redirect illicit gains to the state's General Fund.
Limited Executive Authority: SB 17 does not empower the Governor to designate additional foreign entities as threats, restricting the state's ability to respond swiftly to emerging national security concerns.
🚨 The Call to Action
Texans, we must demand that our legislators fortify SB 17 with the necessary amendments to protect our state:
Eliminate Leasehold Exemptions: Close the 100-year lease loophole to prevent foreign entities from indirectly controlling Texas land.
Enforce Felony Penalties: Impose severe criminal penalties to deter and punish violations effectively.
Mandate Forfeiture of Illicit Funds: Ensure that proceeds from illegal transactions are seized and benefit the state.
Expand Gubernatorial Powers to Designate Hostile Threats: Allow the Governor to swiftly identify and act against new threats to our land and security.
🛡️ Stand for Texas
Our land is our legacy. It's time to close the loopholes and fortify our defenses.
Contact your state representatives TODAY and urge them to amend SB 17 to truly protect Texas from foreign adversaries.
PLEASE CALL THESE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
(R) Cole Hefner Chair
cole.hefner@house.texas.gov
512-463-0271
(D) Ray Lopez Vice-Chair
ray.lopez@house.texas.gov
512-463-0669
(D) Terry Canales
terry.canales@house.texas.gov
512-463-0426
(D) Phil Cortez
philip.cortez@house.texas.gov
512-463-0269
(R) Mark Dorazio
mark.dorazio@house.texas.gov
512-463-0646
(R) Hillary Hickland
hillary.hickland@house.texas.gov
512-463-0630
(R) Janis Holt
janis.holt@house.texas.gov
512-463-0570
(R) Carrie Isaac
carrie.isaac@house.texas.gov
512-463-0325
(R) AJ Louderback
aj.louderback@house.texas.gov
512-463-0456
(R) Don McLaughlin
don.mclaughlin@house.texas.gov
511-246-3019
(R) Katrina Pierson
katrina.pierson@house.texas.gov
512-463-0484
Don't let Texas become vulnerable—take action NOW! The Republican Party of Texas OPPOSES HB 17 by Rep. Hefner, unless amended to close the loopholes.
For the protection of Texas,
Deborah Fite, SD-7 SREC
Chair, Texas Is Not For Sale Committee
Christin Bentley, SD-1 SREC
Gaylyn Devine, SD-11 SREC