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TX HB2105
Bill
Status
1/27/2025
Primary Sponsor
David Spiller
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AI Summary
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Creates a new criminal offense (Class A misdemeanor) for presenting false, fraudulent, or fictitious documents purporting to be a lease, deed, or other property conveyance instrument with intent to enter or remain on real property
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Establishes a state jail felony for knowingly listing, advertising, selling, renting, or leasing residential property without legal title or authority to do so
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Increases criminal mischief penalties to a second-degree felony (from state jail felony) when property damage of $1,000-$300,000 occurs to a habitation during the commission of criminal trespass
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Allows property owners or their agents to request immediate sheriff removal of unauthorized occupants from residential dwellings by filing a sworn complaint, bypassing traditional eviction proceedings, provided the occupant is not a current/former tenant or immediate family member
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Protects sheriffs and property owners from liability for property loss or damage during removal, while allowing wrongfully removed persons to sue for actual damages, exemplary damages (three times fair market rent), court costs, and attorney's fees
Legislative Description
Relating to the unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, advertisement for sale, rental, or lease, or conveyance of real property, including the removal of certain unauthorized occupants of a dwelling; creating criminal offenses; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing a fee.
Property Interests
Last Action
Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
3/14/2025