Texas pushes back against foreign land grab with 'strongest bill in the nation' against China, Iran, Russia

Texas lawmakers are charging ahead with what they call the nation s strongest legislative effort yet to block hostile foreign powers from purchasing land in the Lone Star State Championed by Republican state Rep Cole Hefner and state Sen Lois Kolkhorst Senate Bill SB is designed to stop governments and entities tied to countries like China Iran North Korea and Russia from gaining a foothold on Texas soil In an particular interview with Fox News Digital Hefner described SB as model measure aimed at shutting down land purchases that pose a national protection threat This bill is about actions and affiliations not race not nationality Hefner commented If you re acting on behalf of a hostile foreign adversary we re going to take that land back TEXAS LAW GETS TOUGH ON COMMUNITY PRIVATE DRONE USEThe bill is in direct response to real-world events Hefner cited the situation of a retired Chinese general acquiring over acres near Laughlin Air Force Base We've also seen the attempt of foreign actors or hostile foreign adversaries to buy land close to food processing plants Hefner commented And it's just something that we have revealed the more we dig into it the more we find that there's a lot of things we don't know and a lot of vulnerabilities that are out there The bill prohibits entities and individuals affiliated with governments designated as national protection threats based on the U S Director of National Intelligence s annual assessments from purchasing real estate if those purchases pose risks to populace healthcare or safety The law empowers the state's attorney general to investigate block and even reverse such land deals through court-ordered receivership TEXAS LAWMAKERS CONSIDERING BILL TO BAN GENDER CHANGES ON BIRTH CERTIFICATESUnder SB real property includes agricultural commercial industrial and residential land as well as mines minerals and timber The law includes key exemptions for U S citizens lawful permanent residents and property intended as a personal homestead The strong points of our bill is that it can apply to anyone if we can prove they're acting as an agent declared Hefner So even if they're from a friendly country but they're literally on behalf of a foreign adversary then they will be subject to the bill The bill gives the attorney general investigative powers and authority to appoint receivers to manage or sell properties acquired in violation of the law Hefner pushed back hard on critics who claim the bill is xenophobic This has nothing to do with skin color or ethnicity he disclosed It s about protecting Texans and Americans from foreign espionage and influence He also stressed that SB should not be seen as a partisan move It shouldn't be a partisan issue This is about national shield This is about keeping our citizens safe reported Hefner It's not about Republican or Democrat it's not liberal or conservative It is just taking care of our people And I believe that's the you know the number one responsibility of the authorities is to make sure that people can live free and safe in their state CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPSB is set to take effect Sept Hefner explained he hopes the rule sparks a nationwide effort We need to wake up he announced This is about securing the homeland not playing politics Fox News Digital's Nick Butler contributed to this description