- HB 17, by Rep. Cole Hefner, would prohibit foreign adversaries from owning land in Texas
- After the hearing, Hefner reiterated his commitment to protecting Texas from foreign threats
- Other bills discussed at the hearing involved state investments in hostile foreign nations, relationships between institutions of higher education and foreign adversaries, and government contracts with companies based in adversarial nations
The Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs Committee of the Texas House met Wednesday to hear testimony on a slate of bills to protect Texas from hostile foreign threats. The bill that received the most testimony at the hearing was House Bill 17 by State Representative Cole Hefner, which would prohibit foreign adversaries from owning land in Texas.
At the hearing, Hefner presented a committee substitute of the bill, which addressed concerns that the original legislation contained loopholes that foreign adversaries could exploit.
“The purpose of the committee substitute for House Bill 17 is to prohibit hostile foreign actors who intend to do us harm from owning land in our great state. This prohibition extends to hostile foreign governments, entities controlled by hostile foreign governments, and persons living in countries whose governments are hostile foreign adversaries,” said Hefner.
Jacqueline Deal, representing State Armor, was among those who testified in support of House Bill 17.
“This bill is about the strategy of the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries to use the openness of the American system against us. Specifically, we know of cases where CCP and Chinese military-linked individuals and firms have bought land proximate to U.S. bases in states like Texas and in bases like Laughlin, creating the ability to spy or threaten these sites. This is about protecting the American dream for American citizens and for legal residents from an aggressive, hostile foreign adversary,” Deal told members of the Committee.
Daniel Woodward of the Texas Civil Rights Project, a liberal advocacy organization, testified against the bill and claimed that the legislation was discriminatory. Other individuals who testified against House Bill 17 claimed the bill was racist, with some opponents of the legislation invoking Nazi Germany in their testimony.
State Republican Executive Committee member Leslie Thomas, representing the Republican Party of Texas, initially registered in opposition to House Bill 17 but changed her testimony to supporting the bill in light of the committee substitute offered by Hefner. While asking Thomas questions after her testimony, Hefner noted that the Republican Party of Texas had not engaged with him on the legislation.
“I’ve had zero interaction with anybody from the Party, so I’d appreciate some dialogue with you going forward. I’d love to work with you. I haven’t heard anything until today,” said Hefner.
After the hearing, Hefner reiterated his commitment to protecting Texas from foreign adversaries.
In a post on X, Hefner wrote,
“After nearly twelve hours of testimony, our Homeland Security Committee adjourned just before midnight. We heard powerful testimony about the growing threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party and other foreign adversaries—how they are targeting our land, institutions, and critical infrastructure here in Texas. The need for action could not be clearer.
At the center of the discussion was House Bill 17, which I am proud to lead. #HB17 is the strongest and most constitutionally sound proposal before the #txlege to prohibit land ownership by foreign adversaries. Just as importantly, it also protects a value Texans hold sacred: private property rights. We’ve worked to strike the right balance—standing firm against foreign threats while upholding the freedoms that make Texas strong.
I want to thank the bill authors, the many witnesses who traveled to testify, and my fellow committee members for their dedication and thoughtful engagement throughout the day.
This is a critical moment for our state. I’m committed to leading the fight to ensure Texas remains free, secure, and sovereign.”
Other bills discussed at the hearing included:
- House Bill 34, by Rep. Will Metcalf, would prohibit state funds from being invested in hostile foreign nations, including China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia
- House Bill 41, by Rep. Cole Hefer, would prohibit governmental entities in Texas from buying or using unmanned aircraft from any company based in China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or Syria
- House Bill 119, by Rep. Stan Gerdes, to prohibit lobbyists from being compensated by foreign adversaries
- House Bill 127, by Rep. Terry Wilson, would regulate the relationships between institutions of higher education and hostile foreign entities
- House Bill 128, by Rep. Angelia Orr, to prohibit sister-city agreements with foreign adversaries
- House Bill 129, by Rep. John McQueeney, would generally prohibit governmental entities from contracting with companies based in adversarial nations
