SAN ANTONIO - A new proposed bill, Senate Bill 17, is stirring debate in Texas as it seeks to restrict land ownership by certain foreign countries, citing natio
A new proposed bill, Senate Bill 17 , is stirring debate in Texas as it seeks to restrict land ownership by certain foreign countries, citing national security concerns. The bill has been introduced in response to growing unease over foreign land purchases in the state.
SAN ANTONIO - Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller emphasized the importance of the bill, stating, "We've got to do is use a little cowboy logic. Quit letting our enemies buy our farmland. And it's worse than that. That sounds bad, but it's much worse. We let them buy our farmland and put up solar farms or wind farms, which gives them access to our grid." Commissioner Miller further highlighted concerns about foreign ownership, noting, "Smithfield Foods is 60% owned by the Communist Chinese, and they control 60% of the hog production and process." He also pointed out a specific case, saying, "One of the worst things we do is we allow our enemies to buy land next to our military bases. Retired Chinese military official bought 140,000 acres Del Rio Texas next to Laughlin Air Force Base." However, the bill has faced criticism from some quarters. Manny Pelaez, a city councilman for District 8, criticized the proposed legislation, describing it as "an attention getting bill." He added, "The people who crafted it are really smart, and they know that it's probably unconstitutional, but they're going to try to try pass it anyway." Pelaez also argued that existing federal laws already address the issue of foreign real estate purchases, stating, "There are already federal laws regarding purchases of real estate by certain foreign entities or individuals." He noted that in his eight years in government, he has never encountered issues related to foreign land ownership. The Texas Farm Bureau has expressed support for measures that protect national interests. Gary Joiner, a representative of the bureau, said, "Some purchases recently by Chinese interest, and it really raised the attention of national security interest should that land be purchased by foreign entities that may be hostile to our country." Joiner also pointed out that about 56 million acres of Texas land is owned by foreign interests, including countries like Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Currently, there is no prohibition in Texas against foreign entities owning land, whether it be agricultural or other real property.
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