88R3193 DRS-D
By: Harris of Anderson H.B. No. 1075
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 September 1, 2023.