Ken Paxton Proposes Rules to Enforce Foreign Land Ownership Ban

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has unveiled a formal set of proposed rules to implement Senate Bill 17 (SB 17), a law restricting land ownership in Texas by individuals and entities tied to designated foreign adversaries.

Passed during the 89th Legislative Session, SB 17 targets entities connected to countries such as China, Russia, and North Korea, and is designed to address national security concerns and prevent foreign adversaries from acquiring Texas land or gaining access to critical infrastructure.

The office of the Attorney General has outlined detailed procedures for enforcing the law, including definitions, investigative authority, and compliance requirements. The rules were submitted to the Texas Secretary of State on March 16, 2026, and officially published in the Texas Register on March 27, 2026.

Under the proposal, professionals involved in real estate transactions, including lenders, title companies, insurers, appraisers, and licensed agents, would be required to report suspected violations to the attorney general's office.

The rules also emphasize confidentiality, stating that complaints, investigative demands, and related materials will not be publicly disclosed except as required by law.

"My office will use every tool available to prevent our nation's enemies from gaining a foothold on Texas soil," said Paxton. "These proposed rules will strengthen the reporting of suspicious activity and better protect our state from hostile foreign actors."

The proposed framework signals aggressive enforcement on foreign land ownership in Texas, as state officials move to operationalize SB 17 and expand oversight of real estate transactions tied to global security concerns.

The proposal marks the start of the rulemaking process, including a public comment period before the rules can be finalized.