Senate Bill 655 Summary

• Extends fire sprinkler installation option for one- and two-family dwellings from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2024, allowing purchasers to choose whether to install sprinklers at their cost

• Redefines "lessee" to mean any person who leases premises to the exclusion of others and is obligated to pay rent, and adds new definition of "tenant" as a person who occupies premises with landlord's consent

• Eliminates trial de novo appeals in forcible detainer and unlawful detainer cases, requiring all such cases to be heard on the record with appeals conducted in the manner provided for other civil cases

• Establishes procedures allowing unpaid rent judgments to be revived upon publication consistent with section 506.160 requirements without requiring personal service on the defendant

• Adds new provision to section 569.130 prohibiting tenants who willfully or wantonly destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove parts of leased structures or dwelling units from asserting a claim of right defense