Immigration

HB 3495 makes it illegal for anyone to act as a "straw person" to purchase property in Oklahoma on behalf of a foreign national. It defines a "straw person" as someone who buys property for a foreigner to conceal their identity or bypass restrictions. Violators face felony charges punishable by up to two years in prison, a $1,000 fine, or both. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

HB 1546 prohibits non-U.S. citizens from specific countries (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or other U.S.-designated "foreign government adversaries") from owning agricultural land, forestry property, or real property within 200 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure facilities (like power plants, refineries, or water treatment plants). It requires sellers to submit a notarized affidavit verifying compliance with these restrictions when recording property deeds, with limited exceptions for deeds correcting title defects or securing debts. The bill applies to direct ownership and indirect ownership through business entities or trusts, effective November 1, 2025. This law directly affects foreign entities from the listed countries seeking to purchase or hold certain types of land in Oklahoma.

SB 544 creates an Identity Verification Unit (IVU) within Oklahoma's Department of Public Safety to investigate fraudulent identification documents, including those used by individuals unlawfully residing in the state. It requires all driver's license applicants (with exceptions for seniors over 65 and minors under 18 needing parental consent) to provide fingerprint scans for identity verification. The bill restricts access to fingerprint data to law enforcement only with a court order (except for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation in specific cases like identifying deceased or missing persons). It also updates laws against fraudulent licenses and mandates new rules for Service Oklahoma. The bill was enacted as an emergency measure and signed into law on May 3, 2025.