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TX HB4467
Bill
Status
3/11/2025
Primary Sponsor
Carrie Isaac
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AI Summary
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Creates a new Class A misdemeanor offense for knowingly presenting false, fraudulent, or fictitious lease agreements, deeds, or other documents to enter or remain on real property
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Establishes a first-degree felony offense 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 from a state jail felony to a second-degree felony when $1,000-$300,000 in damage is caused to a habitation during the commission of criminal trespass
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Allows property owners or their agents to request immediate removal of unauthorized occupants by the county sheriff through a sworn complaint process, bypassing traditional eviction procedures for squatters who are not current/former tenants or family members
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Provides liability protections for sheriffs and property owners during removal, while allowing wrongfully removed persons to sue for actual damages, exemplary damages equal to 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
4/3/2025