OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Tim Turner, R-Kinta, has filed two bills for the upcoming legislative session aimed at stopping foreign terrorist activity and illegal foreign land ownership in the state.

"Oklahoma welcomes those who have come to our country legally and who are willing to abide by the laws of our land," Turner said. "But those who are here to further a terrorist cause, to harm our citizens through drug or human trafficking or in any other manner, or who illegally purchase our land with an eye to siphon our resources and profits, should know that we will punish them to the full extent of the law."

House Bill 3764 would enhance penalties for anyone convicted of a felony offense while acting on behalf of or supporting a known foreign terrorist organization as defined by the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.

Enhanced punishment would include twice the maximum prison sentence and twice the maximum fine that could have been imposed for a first conviction for the underlying felony offense. These would apply in addition to, not in place of, any mandatory minimum sentence applicable to the underlying offense.

The state would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant, at the time of the offense, was a member of, acting at the direction of, knowingly provided material support to or knowingly associated with in furtherance of the objectives of the designated foreign terrorist organization.

Just last week, the U.S. Justice Department reported it took into custody 37 foreign fugitives facing a range of criminal charges including human smuggling, drug and firearms trafficking, money laundering and other offenses. One of the fugitives was charged in the Western District of Oklahoma. Turner said this is just one small case of many.

House Bill 3765 would create felony punishments for any alien or person who is not a citizen of the United States who has unlawfully acquired title to or owns land in this state either directly or indirectly through a business entity, trust or foreign government enterprise, and who uses such land to commit a felony offense in violation of state law. Upon conviction, the felony would be punishable by imprisonment for a term not to exceed two years, or by a fine not to exceed $1,000, or both. In addition, all property seized would be subject to forfeiture.

Turner acknowledges the state already has laws in place to limit the ownership of land in Oklahoma by non-U.S. citizens. This would create a separate felony offense for those unlawfully acquiring titles or deeds.

Both bills carry an emergency clause, which if approved, would mean they take effect immediately after being signed into law. 

Both measures will be eligible for consideration during the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.