Req. No. 64 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023) SENATE BILL 212 By: Bullard AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to property; amending 60 O.S. 2021, Sections 121, 122, and 125, which relate to alien ownership of land; prohibiting certain ownership of land through business entity or trust; providing exception for certain business entities; requiring inclusion of certain affidavit with recording of deed; directing Attorney General to promulgate certain affidavit forms; modifying exception to certain ownership requirements; establishing Citizen Land Ownership Unit of the Office of the Attorney General; making language gender-neutral; updating statutory language; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 60 O.S. 2021, Section 121, is amended to read as follows: Section 121. A. No alien or any person who is not a citizen of the United States shall acquire title to or own land in the State of Oklahoma this state either directly or i ndirectly through a business entity or trust, except as hereinafter provided, but he or she shall have and enjoy in the State of Oklahoma this state such rights as to personal property as are, or shall be accor ded a citizen of the United States under the l aws of the nation to which such alien Req. No. 64 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 belongs, or by the treaties of such nation with the United States, except as the same may be affected by the provisions o f this act Section 121 et seq. of this title or the Constitution of this state. Provided, however, the requirements of th is subsection shall not apply to a business entity that has legally operated in the United States for a minimum of twenty (20) years. B. On or after the effective date of this act , any deed recorded with a county clerk shall include as an exhibit to the deed an affidavit executed by the person or entity coming into title attesting that the person, business entity, or trust is obtaining the land in compliance with the requirements of thi s section and that no funding source is being used in the sale or transfer in violation of this section or any other state or federal law. The Attorney General shall promulgate a separate affidavit form for individuals and for business entities or trusts to comply with the requirements of this section. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 60 O.S. 2021, Section 122, is amended to read as follows: Section 122. This article shall not ap ply to lands now owned in this state by aliens so long as they are held by the present owners, nor to any alien who is or shall take up bona fide residence in this state: and; provided, that any alien who is or shall becom e a bona fide resident of the State of Oklahoma, or any lawfully recognized business entity, the majority of the voting stock or equivalent Req. No. 64 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 controlling equity in terest of which is owned by one or more resident aliens, shall have the right to acquire and ho ld lands in this state upon the sa me terms as citizens of the State of Oklahoma during the continuance of such bona fide residence of such a lien in this state: Provided, that if any such resident alien shall cease to be a bona fide inhabitant resident of this state, such alien shall have five (5) years from the time he or she ceased to be such bona fide resident in which to alienate such lands. SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 60 O.S. 2021, Section 125, is amended to read as follows: Section 125. A. It shall be the duty of t he Attorney General or the district attorney of the county w here the land is situate, when he or she shall be informed or have reason to believe that any lands in the state are being held contrary to the provisions of this act, or the provisions of the Constitution of this state, to institute suit in behalf of the State of Oklahoma in the district court of the county in which said the lands are situate, pr aying for the escheat of the same in behalf of t he state, and proceed therein as in cases provided by law for es cheats of lands or property where such property has no known owner: Provided, that before . Before any such suit is instituted, the Attorney General , or district attorney aforesaid, as the case may be, shall give thirty (30) days’ notice by registered letter of his or her intention to sue, directed to the owner of the lands, at his the last-known post office address , or to Req. No. 64 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the persons who last rendered the same for ta xes, or to any known agents of the owner; proof of having mailed such registered letter shall be deemed and held prima facie evidence of the g iving of such notice. B. There is hereby created with in the Office of the Attorney General a Citizen Land Ownersh ip Unit to enforce the provisions of this act. SECTION 4. This act shall become effective November 1, 2023. 59-1-64 TEK 1/9/2023 4:10:00 PM