HB 2389
AN ACT relating to prohibiting the purchase of or acquisition of title to
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
This Texas bill prohibits certain foreign entities and individuals from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia from purchasing or acquiring real property in the state. Specifically, governmental entities, companies headquartered in or controlled by governments of these countries, and citizens of these nations are banned from buying land or property in Texas. The law aims to restrict foreign ownership of Texas real estate and applies to new property transactions starting September 1, 2025, with exceptions for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to prohibiting the purchase of or acquisition of title to real property by and contracts or other agreements with certain BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 5.005, Property Code, is amended to read Sec. 5.005. ALIENS. Except as provided by Subchapter H, an [An] alien has the same real and personal property rights as a SECTION 2. Chapter 5, Property Code, is amended by adding Subchapter H to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER H. PURCHASE OF OR ACQUISITION OF TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY BY CERTAIN FOREIGN INDIVIDUALS OR ENTITIES Sec. 5.251. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "control" means ownership of, or the power to directly or indirectly vote, 50 percent or more of the outstanding voting interests of a company or other entity, and includes ownership by an individual through one Sec. 5.252. EXCEPTION: UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS. This subchapter does not apply to an individual who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States, including an individual who is a citizen of a foreign Sec. 5.253. PROHIBITION ON PURCHASE OF OR ACQUISITION OF TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY. Except as provided by Section 5.252 and notwithstanding any other law, the following may not purchase or otherwise acquire title to real property in this state: (1) a governmental entity of China, Iran, North Korea, (2) a company or other entity that is: (A) headquartered in China, Iran, North Korea, or (B) directly or indirectly under the control of the government of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; or (C) owned by or under the control of one or more individuals who are citizens of China, Iran, North Korea, or (3) a company or other entity that is owned by or under the control of a company or entity described by Subdivision (2); or (4) an individual who is a citizen of China, Iran, SECTION 3. Subtitle F, Title 10, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 2278 to read as follows: CHAPTER 2278. PROHIBITION ON CONTRACTS WITH CERTAIN FOREIGN Sec. 2278.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Adverse foreign entity" means a governmental entity or a company or other entity described by Section 5.253, (2) "Governmental entity" has the meaning assigned by Sec. 2278.002. PROHIBITED CONTRACTS. (a) This section does not apply to an individual who is a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States, including an individual who is a (b) In this section, "public money" means money of this state, a state agency, or a political subdivision of this state or money the state, state agency, or political subdivision controls or (c) Except as provided by Subsection (a), a governmental entity may not enter into a contract or other agreement payable with (1) an adverse foreign entity; or (2) an individual who is a citizen of China, Iran, SECTION 4. (a) Subchapter H, Chapter 5, Property Code, as added by this Act, applies only to the purchase of or other acquisition of title to real property on or after the effective date of this Act. The purchase of or other acquisition of title to real property before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. (b) Chapter 2278, Government Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a contract or other agreement entered into on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Expert Lobbyists for This Bill
These lobbyists specialize in Political Subdivisions and related subject areas.
Adnelis M. Perez Vega
PremiumHaley Cornyn
Gavin L. Massingill
Jennifer Shelley Rodriguez
Ky Ash
Nora Del Bosque
Craig Holzheauser
Jacob Smith
Elizabeth Hadley
Clayton Pope
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to prohibiting the purchase of or acquisition of title to
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