Judiciary Committee Approves Guthrie Bill to Close Foreign Land Ownership Loopholes

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Senate Bill 1582 by Senator Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, to strengthen Oklahoma’s ban on foreign land ownership by closing loopholes left in prior law.

Oklahoma previously enacted legislation intended to prohibit foreign ownership of land. However, vague language such as “shall become” or “who may become a bona fide resident” created legal gaps that attorneys have found to be unenforceable.

“We cannot allow unclear language to undermine the intent of Oklahoma law,” Guthrie said. “This legislation finally shuts down those loopholes and guarantees our lands are purchased only by lawful citizens.”

Under the bill, a bona fide resident is defined as a lawful permanent resident of the United States, and a lawful permanent resident is defined as a foreign national who has been granted the right to reside permanently in the United States.

The measure also provides that if any such resident alien ceases to be a bona fide resident of the state, they must dispose of the land within one year.

SB 1582 is now eligible for consideration by the full Senate.

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For more information, contact: communications@oksenate.gov.