HB 518
Foreign Farmland Ban Misses U.S.-Formed Companies With Foreign Owners
Died in committee
Verdict: Smells
Both charges, and why
The hole
A business counts as foreign only if it is organized outside the United States. A company formed in a U.S. state but owned or controlled by a foreign government or foreign owners is not covered by that definition, so it can escape the ban unless it is shown to be an agent or trustee.
The holeDragnet
THE CAPTION
“relating to the ownership of agricultural land by nonresident”…
Caption, introduced version (I)
The definition turns on holding citizenship of another country and not living in Texas. It does not exclude people who are also U.S. citizens, so a dual citizen living in another state could be swept into a ban the caption pitches at aliens.
DragnetInitial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade
Caption
relating to the ownership of agricultural land by nonresident aliens or foreign entities.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Summary
A dual citizen in another state can be swept in. No penalty or enforcement method either.
The bill bars nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, foreign governments, and their agents or trustees from buying or otherwise acquiring title to farm and ranch land in Texas that is taxed at agricultural rates. It also requires the state agriculture department to send an annual report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker listing all such land already owned by these foreign buyers, and to post that report online. Starting September 1, 2025, new foreign purchases of this land are barred, and the general rule that aliens hold the same property rights as citizens gets an exception for it, though the text sets no penalty or enforcement method and does not force anyone to sell land they already own.
Labels
Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the House State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.
Receipt
The receipt
89R-HB518 · 2024-11-12
SOLD BY
ITEM
relating to the ownership of agricultural land by nonresident aliens or foreign entities.
WHAT IT DOES
A dual citizen in another state can be swept in. No penalty or enforcement method either.
The bill bars nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, foreign governments, and their agents or trustees from buying or otherwise acquiring title to farm and ranch land in Texas that is taxed at agricultural rates. It also requires the state agriculture department to send an annual report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker listing all such land already owned by these foreign buyers, and to post that report online. Starting September 1, 2025, new foreign purchases of this land are barred, and the general rule that aliens hold the same property rights as citizens gets an exception for it, though the text sets no penalty or enforcement method and does not force anyone to sell land they already own.
CHARGES
[x] THE HOLEanalysis confidence 50%
A business counts as foreign only if it is organized outside the United States. A company formed in a U.S. state but owned or controlled by a foreign government or foreign owners is not covered by that definition, so it can escape the ban unless it is shown to be an agent or trustee.
[x] DRAGNETanalysis confidence 45%
THE CAPTION
“relating to the ownership of agricultural land by nonresident”…
Caption, introduced version (I)
The definition turns on holding citizenship of another country and not living in Texas. It does not exclude people who are also U.S. citizens, so a dual citizen living in another state could be swept into a ban the caption pitches at aliens.
TOTAL
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
HISTORY
- Filed
- Read first time
- Referred to State Affairs
FILED UNDER
The bill closes Texas farm and ranch land to new purchases by foreign governments, foreign-organized businesses, and nonresident aliens, but its definition of foreign business leaves U.S.-organized companies with foreign owners outside the ban.
THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Donors
Not tied to this bill.
Sources
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$525,040.28
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$525,040.28
- Cash
- $65,000.00
- Paid by others
- $460,040.28
- Total
- $525,040.28
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 27, 2025 to Aug 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100994567, 101011936, 101042004, 101042009, 101070547.
Texas Conservative Majority PAC$50,000.00
Texas Conservative Majority PAC
$50,000.00
- Cash
- $0.00
- Paid by others
- $50,000.00
- Total
- $50,000.00
Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · on Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101042009.
Dustin Burrows Campaign$45,000.00
Dustin Burrows Campaign
$45,000.00
- Cash
- $35,000.00
- Paid by others
- $10,000.00
- Total
- $45,000.00
Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 31, 2025 to Feb 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101011936, 101028233, 101042004.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC
$525,040.28
- Cash
- $65,000.00
- Paid by others
- $460,040.28
- Total
- $525,040.28
Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Jun 27, 2025 to Aug 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100994567, 101011936, 101042004, 101042009, 101070547.
Texas Conservative Majority PAC
$50,000.00
- Cash
- $0.00
- Paid by others
- $50,000.00
- Total
- $50,000.00
Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · on Feb 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101042009.
Dustin Burrows Campaign
$45,000.00
- Cash
- $35,000.00
- Paid by others
- $10,000.00
- Total
- $45,000.00
Also funds 39 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Sep 13, 2025 to Sep 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.
TeamSources
Derived itemized flow · Dec 31, 2025 to Feb 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101011936, 101028233, 101042004.
Votes
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
Fiscal
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
How this was graded
Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.
Sources
Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024
03/03/2025 H Referred to State Affairs: Mar 3 2025 2:24PM
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
House committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee
Subjects
Agriculture
Aliens
Electronic Information Systems
Property Interests--Real Property
State Agencies, Boards & Commissions
PUBLIC SAFETY, DEPARTMENT OF
Text
The text as introduced · 328 words
89R430 DRS-D By: Leo Wilson H.B. No. 518 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the ownership of agricultural land by nonresident aliens or foreign entities. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Title 1, Agriculture Code, is amended by adding Chapter 3 to read as follows: CHAPTER 3. OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND Sec. 3.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Agricultural land" means land that qualifies for tax appraisal under Subchapter C or D, Chapter 23, Tax Code. (2) "Foreign" means created or organized in a country other than the United States or under the law of a country other than the United States. (3) "Nonresident alien" means a citizen of a country other than the United States who is not a resident of this state. Sec. 3.002. NONRESIDENT ALIEN OR FOREIGN ACQUISITION OF AGRICULTURAL LAND PROHIBITED. Notwithstanding any other law, a nonresident alien, foreign business, or foreign government, or an agent, trustee, or fiduciary of a nonresident alien, foreign business, or foreign government, may not purchase or otherwise acquire title to agricultural land in this state. Sec. 3.003. ANNUAL REPORT OF NONRESIDENT ALIEN OR FOREIGN OWNERSHIP OF AGRICULTURAL LAND. (a) Not later than January 1 of each year, the department shall submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives a report that identifies all agricultural land in this state owned by a nonresident alien, foreign business, or foreign government, or an agent, trustee, or fiduciary of a nonresident alien, foreign business, or foreign government. (b) The department shall post and maintain on the department's Internet website the most recent report required by Subsection (a). SECTION 2. Section 5.005, Property Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 5.005. ALIENS. Except as provided by Chapter 3, Agriculture Code, an [ An ] alien has the same real and personal property rights as a United States citizen. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.