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TX HB2131
Bill
Status
1/28/2025
Primary Sponsor
Jay Dean
Click for details
AI Summary
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Creates a new criminal offense (Class A misdemeanor) for presenting false, fraudulent, or fictitious documents such as fake lease agreements or deeds to enter or remain on real property
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Establishes criminal penalties for fraudulently listing, advertising, selling, renting, or leasing residential property without legal title or authority: Class A misdemeanor for advertising, third-degree felony for completing a sale, rental, or lease
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Increases criminal mischief penalties to a second-degree felony when $1,000 or more in damage is caused to a habitation during the commission of criminal trespass
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Allows property owners to request immediate removal of unauthorized occupants by the county sheriff through a sworn complaint process, bypassing traditional eviction proceedings for squatters who are not current or former tenants
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Provides liability protection for sheriffs and property owners during removal of unauthorized occupants, while allowing wrongfully removed persons to sue for actual damages, exemplary damages (triple 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