Enrolled Bill Summary

Legislative Session: 89(R)

89(R) SB 17

The digital content on TLO has been updated to align with the accessibility standards required by WCAG 2.1.

Senate Bill 17	Effective: 9-1-25
Senate Author: Kolkhorst et al.	Senate Committee: State Affairs
House Sponsor: Hefner et al.	House Committee: Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Senate Bill 17 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code and Property Code to prohibit certain governmental entities, companies, organizations, and individuals connected to a designated country from purchasing or otherwise acquiring an interest in real property in Texas. The bill includes in the definition of "designated country" a country designated by the governor under the bill's provisions and a country named in at least one of the three most recent Annual Threat Assessments prepared by the U.S. Director of National Security. The bill provides for the investigation and enforcement of the bill's provisions by the attorney general. The bill creates a state jail felony offense for a person who meets certain conditions and intentionally or knowingly acquires an interest in real property in Texas in violation of the bill's prohibition and provides for the following:

the referral for criminal prosecution by a district court of a matter relating to a property acquired in violation of the bill's prohibition;
the divestiture of an individual's or entity's interest in such a property;
the appointment of a receiver in an action brought by the attorney general under the bill's provisions; and
a civil penalty for a violation of the bill's provisions.