Oklahoma Constitution Article XXII: ALIEN AND CORPORATE OWNERSHIP OF LANDS
Oklahoma Constitution – Article XXII: Alien and Corporate Ownership of Lands – Summary
Purpose:
Article XXII of the Oklahoma Constitution governs the ownership and use of land by aliens (non-citizens) and corporations, placing restrictions to protect the state’s land resources from excessive outside control or speculative ownership.
Key Provisions:
Alien Land Ownership Restrictions (Section 1):
Non-citizen individuals or entities (aliens) who are not eligible to become U.S. citizens are prohibited from acquiring title to land in Oklahoma.
This section was originally targeted at restricting land ownership by certain Asian immigrants in the early 20th century.
Modern Note: This section has been subject to legal challenges and is largely unenforceable today under federal constitutional and civil rights protections.
Corporation Land Ownership Limits (Section 2):
Corporations are not allowed to acquire, hold, or own land in Oklahoma except as necessary for their business operations.
For example, a manufacturing company may own land for its factory, but not for general landholding or speculation.
Agricultural Land Restrictions (Section 3):
Corporations cannot own agricultural land except under certain conditions (e.g., for research, school lands, or religious institutions).
This reflects a longstanding effort to keep Oklahoma’s farmland in the hands of individuals or families rather than corporate entities.
Enforcement and Penalties (Section 4):
Land held in violation of these restrictions may be forfeited to the state.
The attorney general or district attorney can initiate legal proceedings to enforce compliance.
Context and Interpretation:
The article reflects early 20th-century populist and agrarian concerns, particularly suspicion of monopolies, land speculation, and foreign influence.
Some provisions (especially regarding alien ownership) have been invalidated or weakened by federal court rulings on equal protection and discrimination.
The corporate restrictions are still meaningful, especially in agricultural and rural land use law.
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