88S30227 DRS-D
 
  By: Harris, Cody H.B. No. 93
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain property interests of a foreign government in
  agricultural land.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 1, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding
  Chapter 3 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 3.  PROPERTY INTEREST OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENT IN
  AGRICULTURAL LAND
         Sec. 3.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Agricultural land" means land that qualifies for
  tax appraisal under Subchapter C or D, Chapter 23, Tax Code.
               (2)  "Foreign government" does not include:
                     (A)  a federally recognized Indian tribe, as
  listed by the United States secretary of the interior under 25
  U.S.C. Section 5131; or
                     (B)  a government unit or enterprise of a
  federally recognized Indian tribe described by Paragraph (A).
         Sec. 3.002.  CERTAIN PROPERTY INTERESTS OF FOREIGN
  GOVERNMENT IN AGRICULTURAL LAND PROHIBITED. (a)  Notwithstanding
  any other law, and except as provided by Section 3.003, the
  following may not lease, purchase, or otherwise acquire title to or
  hold any other interest in agricultural land in this state:
               (1)  a foreign government;
               (2)  a company or other entity that is directly or
  indirectly held or controlled by a foreign government; or
               (3)  a company or other entity that is owned by or the
  majority of stock or other ownership interest of which is held or
  controlled by a company or entity described by Subdivision (2).
         (b)  A transfer of a property interest in agricultural land
  in violation of this section is void.
         Sec. 3.003.  PROPERTY INTEREST HELD ON AUGUST 31, 2023.  (a)
  Subject to Subsection (b), an entity described by Section 3.002 may
  hold a property interest in agricultural land if the interest was
  held by the entity on August 31, 2023.
         (b)  A property interest in agricultural land held by an
  entity described by Section 3.002 that terminates on or after
  September 1, 2023, may not be renewed by the entity.
         SECTION 2.  Section 5.005, Property Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 5.005.  ALIENS. Except as provided by Chapter 3,
  Agriculture Code, an [An] alien has the same real and personal
  property rights as a United States citizen.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the
  last day of the legislative session.