Paxton Seeks Stronger Enforcement of Texas law Restricting Foreign Land Purchases

Attorney General Ken Paxton has proposed stronger rules to protect Texas land from foreign adversaries, strengthening recently passed restrictions on the acquisition of Texas property.

Last week, Paxton’s office revealed it is proposing stronger rules to implement and enforce Senate Bill 17. The rules would add safeguards to increase transparency, encourage reporting of potential violations, and help Texans identify property owned by foreign adversaries.

The new proposal builds on a previous proposal released earlier this year that would require mortgage lenders, title insurance companies, property insurers, appraisers and licensed real estate professionals to report suspected violations of the law to the Office of the Attorney General.

SB 17 was passed during the 89th Texas Legislature and took effect in September 2025. The law restricts the purchase or acquisition of real property by certain individuals and entities from designated adversarial nations, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. Legislators created the law to reduce the national security risks those nations pose to the United States.

Under the new proposal, the rules clarify that “any person—not only individuals or entities facilitating real estate transactions—who believes they have information indicating a potential violation of the statute may submit a complaint to the OAG.” 

Paxton’s office would also develop a plan for an online portal containing a registry of Texas properties owned by entities that meet the definitions in SB 17. According to the OAG, the registry will be modeled after the Texas Sex Offender Registry and include a map and search function to provide greater transparency regarding covered foreign ownership of land across the state.

“Under my watch, communist China, Russia, Iran, or any other of our nation’s enemies or foreign nationals who threaten our national security will not be allowed to buy property in Texas,” Paxton said. “My strengthened rules will increase transparency, empower Texans to report potential violations, and give my office additional tools to identify foreign land ownership and vigorously enforce the law.” 

Paxton has also said that his office has begun developing plans for a new Office of the Attorney General task force dedicated to uncovering and stopping foreign land sales in Texas.

The proposed rules are eligible for adoption as early as Nov. 8, 2026, following a 30-day public comment period.