HB3489 - Immigrant-Owned Property Protection Act

• Prohibits municipalities and financial institutions from bringing actions to recover possession of dwelling units based solely or in part on a homeowner's immigration or citizenship status, unless required by law or court order.

• Allows immigrant homeowners to continue owning property and arranging leases or sales through representatives, with the caveat that vacant properties may only be taken through tax sale for unpaid property taxes or mortgage foreclosure.

• Permits homeowners to bring civil actions for violations and seek actual damages, civil penalties up to $2,000 per violation, attorney's fees and court costs, and other equitable relief.

• Declares that immigration or citizenship status is irrelevant to liability and remedies in housing rights cases and prohibits inquiries into status during proceedings, except when status is directly at issue or necessary to comply with federal law.

• Prevents discovery into immigration status when a homeowner asserts an affirmative defense to eviction under the Code of Civil Procedure.