Cole Hefner, said the legislation would make Texas and the nation safer because "adversarial nations," as identified by the U.S. national intelligence director — China, Russia, Iran and North Korea — could not become Texas landowners.

The bill was amended to exempt visa-holders, but to give Gov. Greg Abbott power to bar other foreign citizens from purchasing property in Texas.

Although it's not the worst bill to come out of Texas, advocates warn that the bill's vagueness leave it ripe for misuse.