b'
Amend CSSB 17 (house committee report) on page 8, between lines 17 and 18, by adding the following appropriately numbered sections to added Subchapter H, Chapter 5, Property Code:
\r\n Sec. ____. OFFENSE; PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if the person:
\r\n (1) is an individual described by Section 5.253(4); and
\r\n (2) intentionally or knowingly purchases or otherwise acquires an interest in real property in this state in violation of this subchapter.
\r\n (b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a state jail felony.
\r\n Sec. ____. CIVIL PENALTY. (a) The attorney general may bring an action in the name of the state against a company or entity that violates this subchapter.
\r\n (b) A company or entity that a court determines in an action brought under this section to have violated this subchapter is liable to the state for a civil penalty equal to the greater of:
\r\n (1) $250,000; or
\r\n (2) 50 percent of the market value of the interest in real property that is the subject of the violation.
\r\n \r\n'