The bill establishes new legal provisions to combat title theft in Oklahoma. It allows victims of title theft to file a notice of fraudulent conveyance, which must include a full description of the affected real property and can be filed by the victim or a representative. The county clerk is required to record this notice and may charge a fee for the service. Additionally, the clerk must provide a copy of the notice to the district attorney for potential investigation. The bill also grants the county clerk the authority to refuse to file a notice if it is believed to be sham legal process or slander of title, with an option for the aggrieved party to petition the district court for a writ of mandamus to compel the filing.
Furthermore, the bill defines title theft and establishes felony offenses for various fraudulent activities related to real property, including altering documents or misrepresenting ownership. Penalties for these offenses include imprisonment and fines, along with mandatory restitution to the victims. The county clerk is also required to post signage informing the public that filing fraudulent documents is a crime. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on November 1, 2025.