Texas Rep. discusses concerns about Senate Bill 147
AUSTIN, Texas - State Representative Gene Wu held a conference to discuss their concerns about Senate Bill 147.
If passed, according to the bill language, it would ban companies and citizens from North Korea, Iran, Russia and China from buying property in Texas.
"This is not just a Chinese problem this is not just a Russian problem or Iranian problem or North Korean problem this is a problem for every community that has been targeted," says State Representative Gene Wu.
"Senate Bill 147 is unconstitutional and un-American, and it's bad for business I hope my colleagues will see the consequences on this bill and work with us to ensure that every single Texan has the opportunity to live their American dream," says civil rights activist.
Officials condemn SB 147 that forbids people, businesses from certain countries from owning Texas land
The bill was authored by State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst. If passed, according to the bill language, it would ban companies and citizens of North Korea, Iran, Russia and China from buying property in Texas.
FOX 7 previously reached out to Senator Kolkhorst on Senate Bill 147 and her office sent a statement saying this bill addresses a national security issue. Senator Kolkhorst says the bill does not prohibit foreign business investment in Texas because companies may still do business by leasing land and buildings.
Senate Bill 147 builds on Senate Bill 2116 which passed the Texas legislature in 2021.
Senator Kolkhorst also said the bill will not impact U.S citizens or permanent residents.
"Senate Bill 147 compromises the American dream what starts in Texas changes the world where our legislature goes the entire country follows," says civil right activist.
Governor Greg Abbott, who previously tweeted he will sign SB 147, responded to immigrant concerns regarding a road service agreement between TxDOT and the U.S. military.
"There are people who immigrate lawfully to the United States of America from China, and it will not impact them at all," says Texas state governor Greg Abbott.
You can read Senator Kolkhorst's full statement on Senate Bill 147:
"As I have traveled across my senate district, one of the top concerns for many Texans is national security and the growing ownership of Texas land by certain adversarial foreign entities, such as the 130,000 acres near Laughlin Air Force Base in Del Rio that was recently purchased by a former officer of the Chinese army. Many Texans find this trend highly disturbing and a major red flag.
This bill addresses a national security issue and will preserve our cherished private property rights and constitutional freedoms. It does not prohibit foreign business investment in Texas, because companies may still do business by leasing land and buildings. Passing this law delivers the safeguards to ensure that Texas remains Texas. SB 147 builds on SB 2116 which passed the Texas Legislature unanimously in 2021. That bill protected critical infrastructure against contracts or doing business with Russia, North Korea, China and Iran because of national security issues. Mirroring that legislation, SB 147 also names the same four countries and prohibits them from future purchases of Texas lands. The bill will make crystal clear that the prohibitions do not apply to United States citizens and lawful permanent residents. This has always been about common-sense safeguards against Russian, North Korean, Chinese and Iranian authoritarian regimes, not those fleeing the tyranny of those governments who seek freedom in Texas."