Oklahoma Senator Proposes Ban on Foreign Land Ownership
Legislation would close loopholes allowing non-citizens to acquire property, require constitutional amendment vote
OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Brian Guthrie, R-Bixby, has filed two pieces of legislation aimed at prohibiting foreign ownership of Oklahoma land, marking a significant effort to close existing legal loopholes that currently allow non-citizens to acquire property in the state.
Senate Bill 1582 and Senate Joint Resolution 31 represent comprehensive measures to prevent aliens from obtaining land in Oklahoma while protecting the rights of legal permanent residents who have established genuine ties to the state.
Dual Legislative Approach
The legislative package takes a two-pronged approach to addressing foreign land ownership concerns. Senate Bill 1582 focuses on statutory changes, while Senate Joint Resolution 31 proposes a constitutional amendment that would ultimately require voter approval.
The bill defines a “bona fide resident” as a lawful permanent resident under state law and provides such residents with the same rights to acquire and hold land as United States citizens. This provision ensures that legal permanent residents who live, work, and pay taxes in Oklahoma can continue to own property.
The resolution proposes amending the Oklahoma Constitution to explicitly prohibit persons who are not citizens of the United States from owning land in Oklahoma. If passed by the Legislature, the proposal will go before Oklahoma voters as a state question in a future election.
“These measures will protect Oklahoma lands from outside control, while keeping it in the hands of those with a real stake in our state,” Guthrie said in a statement announcing the legislation.
Closing Loopholes
According to Guthrie, current state statute and the Oklahoma Constitution contain loopholes that allow non-citizens to exploit legal gaps and gain ownership of Oklahoma land and resources.
“These bills ensure bona fide residents who live here, work here, and pay taxes in Oklahoma can continue to own land, while prohibiting non-citizens from exploiting loopholes to gain ownership of our land and resources,” Guthrie added.
Legislative Timeline
Both SB 1582 and SJR 31 will be eligible for consideration during the 2026 legislative session, which begins February 2, 2026.
Senate Bill 1582, if passed by both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature and signed by the governor, would take effect as state law. Senate Joint Resolution 31, however, requires a different path: it must pass both legislative chambers and then be approved by Oklahoma voters in a statewide election before it can amend the state constitution.
Protecting State Resources
The legislation reflects growing concerns nationwide about foreign entities purchasing agricultural land, real estate near military installations, and other strategic properties. Several states have implemented or are considering similar restrictions on foreign land ownership.
Senator Guthrie’s proposals aim to ensure that Oklahoma’s land and natural resources remain under the control of those with permanent ties to the state—either through citizenship or through lawful permanent residency combined with actual residence, employment, and tax contributions in Oklahoma.
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