A bill in the Texas House would prevent people from China and other countries from buying property in the state. Additions by representatives would also give the governor the ability to add other countries to the ban without legislative approval.

Legislation aimed at barring people and agents of countries deemed hostile to U.S. interests from owning land in Texas leaped closer to becoming law.

The Texas House gave approval Friday to a controversial bill that would restrict land purchases by people from certain foreign countries—drawing strong criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who compared the legislation to historical injustices like Japanese internment during World War II.