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FORT BEND County, Texas (KTRK) — A proposed invoice banning the sale of land to entities and people with ties to North Korea, Russia, China and Iran has sparked heated reactions for and in opposition to in Houston.
Senate Invoice 147 prohibits the sale or acquisition of land by corporations or entities affiliated with North Korea, Russia, China and Iran.
This contains authorities entities, corporations primarily based in these international locations, or corporations managed by sure international locations. It goes on to say that people who find themselves residents of the 4 nations will likely be barred from buying actual property.
The invoice was drafted by Republican State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, whose district covers a part of Fort Bend County.
“I will signal it. That is according to the regulation I signed that prohibits these international locations from threatening our infrastructure,” Texas Governor Greg Abbott tweeted.
On Friday, earlier than a rally in entrance of the Fort Bend County Justice Heart, a bunch from the Asian American group in opposition to the invoice and two pro-Fort Bend County residents had a heated alternate.
“Everybody needs to withdraw as a result of they’re afraid of being referred to as racist,” stated Jules Knouldon, who’s in favor of the invoice. “It is not like that right here. This lady is making an attempt to guard folks’s property and enterprise with out invading overseas international locations and shopping for up the whole lot.”
Knouldon stated that America doesn’t profit from different international locations shopping for farmland.
Members of the Asian American group who attended the rally held indicators that referred to as the invoice “discriminatory.” They stated they worry they will not be capable of purchase properties if the invoice passes.
“Everybody who’s on this nation from North Korea is right here as a authorized refugee fleeing an oppressive authorities,” State Consultant Gene Wu informed the rally. “They’re now being punished once more for the actions of this oppressive authorities just because they arrive from the identical place.”
Fort Bend County Choose KP George stated the regulation ought to apply to everybody as a result of extra international locations might be added to the listing at any time. He additionally acknowledged that in his opinion this might have a unfavourable financial affect on the state.
“Individuals are not going to take a position the place there may be doubt,” stated George. “What is going on on tomorrow? They don’t seem to be going to take a position. I imagine that as the very best elected official of Fort Bend County. I do not imagine it is in our greatest curiosity.”
Kenneth Li is an actual property investor and developer. He stated a few of his shoppers contacted him after studying concerning the invoice and are contemplating leaving the state. They’re afraid they will not be capable of purchase actual property in Texas.
“They’re afraid that the state of Texas isn’t pleasant to foreigners,” Li stated.
Senator Kolkhorst’s workplace issued the next assertion:
“As I traveled round my Senate district, one of many main considerations of many Texans is the rising possession of Texas land by sure hostile overseas entities, equivalent to 130,000 acres close to Laughlin Air Pressure Base in Del Rio, which was not too long ago bought by a former Chinese language Military officer Many Texans contemplate this development to be very worrying and a critical crimson flag.
This invoice addresses nationwide safety points and protects our cherished non-public property rights and constitutional freedoms. It doesn’t prohibit overseas enterprise funding in Texas as corporations can proceed to do enterprise by leasing land and buildings. The passage of this regulation gives ensures that Texas will stay Texas. SB 147 relies on SB 2116, which was unanimously handed by the Texas Legislature in 2021. This act protected crucial infrastructure from contracts or doing enterprise with Russia, North Korea, China, and Iran on nationwide safety grounds. Reflecting this laws, SB 147 additionally lists the identical 4 international locations and prohibits them from future land purchases in Texas. The invoice will make it clear that the prohibitions don’t apply to US residents and lawful everlasting residents. It has at all times been about widespread sense safeguards in opposition to authoritarian Russian, North Korean, Chinese language and Iranian regimes, not these fleeing the tyranny of these governments looking for freedom in Texas.”
SB147 has but to go to committee.
For extra on this story, observe Mycah Hatfield on Fb, Twitter and Instagram.
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