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Issues

Texas Sovereignty

Strong. Secure. Independent.

Securing Our Future

Texas is a leader in freedom, economic opportunity and innovation, and the Texas House is committed to preserving that promise by defending our state from outside threats.

The Texas House strengthened critical infrastructure, protected Texas land and resources, reinforced state authority and pushed back against policies that threaten the state’s security, economy and way of life.

Protections Against Foreign Adversaries

Texas faces growing threats from hostile foreign governments, but during the 89th Legislative Session, Speaker Burrows led the Texas House in enhancing protections for our state’s sovereignty and critical assets.

  • Secured Texas land by banning entities tied to countries like China, Iran, North Korea and Russia from purchasing, owning or controlling state assets like land (SB 17)
  • Reviewed vulnerabilities in supply chains, critical infrastructure and military readiness to reduce dependence on hostile nations like China and to prepare for future threats (SB 2312)
  • Cracked down on foreign interference by criminalizing attempts by hostile regimes to enforce their laws on Texas soil through harassment, intimidation or surveillance (SB 1349)
  • Closed security gaps in Texas’ critical infrastructure by strengthening oversight and increasing scrutiny of individuals and businesses connected to foreign adversaries that seek access to sensitive facilities (SB 2368)
  • Safeguarded Texans’ genetic data by banning medical and research facilities from using genome sequencing technology tied to foreign adversaries (HB 130)
  • Blocked state funds from being invested in companies, banks or securities owned or controlled by foreign adversaries (HB 34)
  • Cracked down on foreign influence in Texas government with mandatory registration and a ban on compensation (HB 119)
  • Protected sensitive state information by expanding confidentiality laws for emergency plans, risk assessments and critical infrastructure data (HB 132)
  • Restricted sister-city agreements with foreign adversary nations to reduce foreign influence while maintaining partnerships with U.S. allies (HB 128)
  • Protected taxpayer dollars by prohibiting state investments in companies tied to the Chinese government (SB 667)
  • Established a specialized unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify, investigate and counter threats from hostile foreign adversaries (SB 2514)

Strengthening State Sovereignty

  • Created the Texas Cyber Command to defend Texas’ power grid, water systems and critical infrastructure from cyber-attacks (HB 150)
  • Established a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to diversify state assets and strengthen Texas’ long-term financial security (SB 21)
  • Allowed the Attorney General to defend district and county attorneys in federal court when legal challenges stem from their enforcement of state law (SB 888)
  • Strengthened Texas’ Right to Farm protections by allowing farmers and ranchers to challenge unlawful local regulations impacting their operations and seek relief in court (SB 1035)
  • Created a state-backed system for using gold and silver as currency, giving Texans another way to save and transact (HB 1056)

Preparing for Emerging Threats

Building on the progress made during the 89th Legislative Session, Speaker Burrows and the Texas House are already looking ahead to the future challenges facing the state.

The Texas House is currently studying ways to further harden critical infrastructure, secure strategic industries and reduce vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hostile foreign actors or terrorist-linked entities.

This work includes examining the security of our energy grid, strengthening supply chains, examining higher education research partnerships and other key areas that are essential to Texas’ economic strength and national security.