Latest news with #LoisKolkhorst
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas moves close to ban on some land sales to foreigners
With just three days left before the deadline, the House has approved the negotiated version of a bill that bans people tied to the governments of China, North Korea, Russia and Iran from purchasing land in the state. The bill awaits Senate approval before going to the governor. Senate Bill 17 has moved forward in Texas despite a federal court ruling that a similar law in Florida was likely beyond the state's authority. It's the second attempt by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, who said in 2023 that the right time to address concerns over foreign entities owning Texas land is before it becomes widespread — something she sees as a way to bolster national security. The latest data available shows that investors from the four countries own a small portion of farmland in Texas and nationally. Chinese investors own about 383,000 total acres of U.S. farmland — about 600 square miles — which is less than 1% of total, foreign-held acreage, according to the United States Department of Agriculture's 2021 land report. On Thursday, the House approved a conference report on the measure after both chambers passed versions of the bill. Last session, although the Senate passed a similar measure, the House failed to take it up. In mid-May, Kolkhorst initiated a process to reconcile differences between the chambers over who should be banned. The select group of lawmakers known as a conference committee worked in private on the conference version that is now up for a vote in the Senate. The conference report preserves the last-minute amendments from the bill passed by the House: giving the governor the authority to add more countries to the list, restricting leaseholders from renting for up to 100 years to just one year, and including language that barred people who were part of a ruling political party from buying land. The conference committee version requires that the person have permission to live in the U.S. legally, but also that the property would serve as a primary residence. Under that version, those in the United States on work or student visas are also barred from buying a controlling interest in land as a business investment. 'The metric by which we decide who can and cannot be buying land here is to help the asylum seeker, but not to allow someone that just happens to be here on a tourist visa or a student visa to buy multiple properties, investment properties and everything else,' Kolkhorst said on the Senate floor in May. Asian Texans for Justice, an advocacy group that opposes the effort, said they see the bill as racist and discriminatory. The group has said the bill revives 'a shameful chapter in American history — when Asian immigrants were banned from owning land.' Lily Trieu, executive director of the group, said that by passing the bill, lawmakers were setting up Texans to have their taxpayer dollars spent on inevitable lawsuits. 'The Florida bill is caught up in the courts. So why would you model a bill after one that's being challenged legally?' she said in an interview. 'Why wouldn't you file a bill that you know is legally sound and constitutional? The conference committee version also lays out specific procedures for the attorney general to investigate, and the process by which land could be reclaimed if someone were found to have violated the law. Texas and Florida are not alone in their attempts to pass such legislation: between January 2023 and July 2024, at least 22 other states initiated similar bills, according to the federal Congressional Research Service. Florida's law, which also includes Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela, was struck down by a U.S. District Court in 2023, but the law remains in effect while the state is appealing it. In a 2023 letter to the court, the U.S. Department of Justice said the law violates the federal Fair Housing Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution: 'These unlawful provisions will cause serious harm to people simply because of their national origin, contravene federal civil rights laws, undermine constitutional rights, and will not advance the State's purported goal of increasing public safety,' the Department of Justice wrote. The Texas chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union raised similar concerns. "Discriminating against residents based on their national origin is not only barred by the Constitution's requirements for due process and equal protection, but it also tramples on the United States' prerogatives on foreign relations," said David Donatti, senior staff attorney at the ACLU of Texas. Sarah Cruz, a policy and advocacy strategist with the ACLU, said the policy could also lead to racial profiling. 'How is it going to look in practice?,' she said. 'If an individual who just simply looks like they may be from one of those designated countries, does that open them to … some additional scrutiny? The bill is a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and has received the encouragement of Gov. Greg Abbott. First round of TribFest speakers announced! Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Maureen Dowd; U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio; Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker; U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-California; and U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Dallas are taking the stage Nov. 13–15 in Austin. Get your tickets today!
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas House passes bill barring Chinese citizens from owning property
[Source] The Texas House of Representatives voted 86-59 on Friday to advance legislation that would bar citizens from China and other nations from purchasing property in the state. Catch up Senate Bill 17, sponsored by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), specifically targets citizens from countries designated as national security threats — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — in the U.S. Director of National Intelligence's annual assessment. The House-amended version exempts visa holders, lawful permanent residents and dual citizens from the ban, significantly narrowing the original Senate version. An amendment introduced by Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth) specifically grants Gov. Greg Abbott unilateral power to add other countries and 'transnational criminal organizations' to the restricted list without legislative oversight. Trending on NextShark: Security or xenophobia? Supporters frame the bill as essential for national security. 'We must not allow oppressive regimes who actively seek to do us harm to seize control and dictate their terms over our economy, supply chain and our daily lives,' said Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant), the bill's House sponsor. Critics, on the other hand, call the measure xenophobic and harmful to immigrants. 'This is a loud and clear message that Asians don't belong in this country,' said Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston), the chamber's top Democrat and lone Chinese American legislator. 'When the attacks come, when the hate crimes start, it will be against all Asians — anyone with an Asian face.' Trending on NextShark: Hundreds of protesters gathered in Austin on Sunday, carrying signs that read 'stop the hate' and 'housing is a human right.' Organizer Alice Yi, co-founder of Asian Texans for Justice, called the bill 'racist' and stressed, 'This is our country too.' The big picture The legislation reflects mounting political tensions between Washington and Beijing following President Donald Trump's return to office, with similar bans targeting Chinese property ownership emerging in multiple states. Around 5.7 million acres in Texas are foreign-owned, with China reportedly accounting for 3.6% of that land. Leaders of multiple Chinese American organizations are now considering challenging the bill in federal court should it become law, similar to how a comparable Florida law was temporarily halted by a federal appeals court. Trending on NextShark: The bill now returns to the Senate, which must approve House amendments before it goes to Abbott's desk. If signed, the law would take effect on Sept. 1 and apply to property purchases after that date. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas House passes bill barring Chinese citizens from owning property
[Source] The Texas House of Representatives voted 86-59 on Friday to advance legislation that would bar citizens from China and other nations from purchasing property in the state. Catch up Senate Bill 17, sponsored by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham), specifically targets citizens from countries designated as national security threats — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — in the U.S. Director of National Intelligence's annual assessment. The House-amended version exempts visa holders, lawful permanent residents and dual citizens from the ban, significantly narrowing the original Senate version. An amendment introduced by Rep. Nate Schatzline (R-Fort Worth) specifically grants Gov. Greg Abbott unilateral power to add other countries and 'transnational criminal organizations' to the restricted list without legislative oversight. Trending on NextShark: Security or xenophobia? Supporters frame the bill as essential for national security. 'We must not allow oppressive regimes who actively seek to do us harm to seize control and dictate their terms over our economy, supply chain and our daily lives,' said Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant), the bill's House sponsor. Critics, on the other hand, call the measure xenophobic and harmful to immigrants. 'This is a loud and clear message that Asians don't belong in this country,' said Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston), the chamber's top Democrat and lone Chinese American legislator. 'When the attacks come, when the hate crimes start, it will be against all Asians — anyone with an Asian face.' Trending on NextShark: Hundreds of protesters gathered in Austin on Sunday, carrying signs that read 'stop the hate' and 'housing is a human right.' Organizer Alice Yi, co-founder of Asian Texans for Justice, called the bill 'racist' and stressed, 'This is our country too.' The big picture The legislation reflects mounting political tensions between Washington and Beijing following President Donald Trump's return to office, with similar bans targeting Chinese property ownership emerging in multiple states. Around 5.7 million acres in Texas are foreign-owned, with China reportedly accounting for 3.6% of that land. Leaders of multiple Chinese American organizations are now considering challenging the bill in federal court should it become law, similar to how a comparable Florida law was temporarily halted by a federal appeals court. Trending on NextShark: The bill now returns to the Senate, which must approve House amendments before it goes to Abbott's desk. If signed, the law would take effect on Sept. 1 and apply to property purchases after that date. This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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 17 (SB17) 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 exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Hefner described SB17 as "model legislation" aimed at shutting down land purchases that pose a national security threat. "This bill is about actions and affiliations, not race, not nationality," Hefner said. "If you're acting on behalf of a hostile foreign adversary, we're going to take that land back." Texas Law Gets Tough On Public, Private Drone Use The bill is in direct response to real-world events. Read On The Fox News App Hefner cited the 2021 case of a retired Chinese general acquiring over 140,000 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 said. "And it's just something that we have found 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 security threats, based on the U.S. Director of National Intelligence's annual assessments, from purchasing real estate if those purchases pose risks to public health 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 Certificates Under SB17, "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," said Hefner. "So even if they're from a friendly country, but they're actually 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 said. "It's about protecting Texans and Americans from foreign espionage and influence." He also stressed that SB17 should not be seen as a partisan move. "It shouldn't be a partisan issue. This is about national security. This is about keeping our citizens safe," said 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 government is to make sure that people can live free and safe in their state." SB17 is set to take effect Sept. 1. Hefner said he hopes the legislation sparks a nationwide effort. "We need to wake up," he said. "This is about securing the homeland, not playing politics."Fox News Digital's Nick Butler contributed to this article source: Texas pushes back against foreign land grab with 'strongest bill in the nation' against China, Iran, Russia
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Texas moves closer to land ban for non-resident citizens of China, Russia, others
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The Texas Legislature voted to make it illegal for citizens of China, North Korea, Iran and Russia to own Texas land if they're not legally residing in the United States. On Friday, the Texas House voted to pass Senate Bill 17 after adding seven amendments to the bill on Thursday evening. The bill will now head back to the Senate to either adopt the House's changes, or to start a conferencing committee to find common ground. In 2021, the Texas Legislature unanimously passed Senate Bill 2116, preventing China, North Korea, Iran and Russia from connecting to critical Texas infrastructure due to national security concerns. In 2023, State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, tried to build off the legislation by preventing citizens of the same nations from buying Texas land. 'Texans have raised concerns of national security ranging from energy security to food security,' Kolkhorst wrote in her statement of intent. 'Preventing private property rights from being controlled by entities from adversarial nations is key to ensuring national security.' The bill underwent several changes due to concerns over rights violations and was eventually killed in the Texas House. State Sen. Matt Shaheen, R-Plano, introduced an amendment to make those who live in the U.S. legally eligible to buy land regardless of nationality. While the amendment passed 120-19, it immediately drew backlash from some conservative activists and lawmakers on social media. '3/4 of Republicans vote to allow Chinese nationals with student visas to buy land,' Former Texas GOP Chairman Matt Rinaldi said on X. 'Just enroll in an ESL course at a local community college and you are good.' 'Here's a short explanation on how this guts the bill,' Rinaldi said in a follow-up post. 'Chinese nationals (even those who are members of the CCP) are not prohibited from getting tourist visas (B-2). Once in the United States, immigration lawyers will advise them to enroll in an ESL or other course at a local community college, so they can change their status to a student visa (F-1), which can last 5 years.' Rinaldi supported three other amendments brought forward by Republicans. The first, by State Rep. Steve Toth, R-Spring, prevented citizens of China, Russia, North Korea and Iran from leasing land for more than a year. Previously, the bill allowed for 99-year leases. The second, brought forward by State Rep. Mitch Little, R-Dallas, prevented those who are 'a member of the ruling political party or any subdivision of the ruling political party in a designated country,' from owning Texas land. The last, brought by State Rep. Nate Schatzline, R-Fort Worth, allows the governor to designate new nations to the designated country list at will. Schatzline specifically mentioned Venezuela and the gang Tren de Aragua as a reason the governor may have to act quickly. On Friday before the third reading, two attempts were made to undo the controversial Shaheen amendment. Both times the amendments failed because they didn't receive the two-thirds majority needed to amend a bill on third reading, but both times they received a majority vote. 'The [Shaheen] amendment… it's not in the Senate bill,' Chuck Guo said. Guo is a Chinese citizen who practices immigration law in Texas on a H-1B visa. 'They will maybe listen to the proponents of the bill to strengthen the bill and to strip the [Shaheen] amendment from the bill that will eventually become law.' Guo has been concerned about SB 17 since it was first floated as SB 147 in 2023. On Saturday morning, he's helping host a rally outside the Texas Capitol in opposition to the bill. 'Discrimination is still discrimination,' Guo said. 'It is targeting the entire community and is creating a chilling effect.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
