Bill > HB3003

This bill addresses unauthorized property occupation and real estate fraud by introducing several key legal changes. It modifies the Texas Penal Code to create new criminal offenses related to fraudulent property documents and transactions, specifically making it a Class A misdemeanor to present false documents to enter or remain on real property and a first-degree felony to fraudulently list, advertise, sell, rent, or lease residential property without legal title or authority. The bill also establishes a new legal procedure allowing property owners to request sheriff assistance in removing unauthorized occupants from a dwelling under specific conditions, such as the property not being open to the public when entered and the occupant not being a current/former tenant or family member. The new law provides a detailed complaint process for property owners, requiring them to submit a sworn statement with specific declarations, and allows sheriffs to serve immediate vacation notices and potentially arrest occupants. Additionally, the bill creates provisions for potential liability if a removal is deemed wrongful, allowing wrongfully removed individuals to seek damages, and explicitly states that this new process does not limit existing property owner rights or law enforcement's ability to address criminal activities. The changes will take effect on September 1, 2025, and apply only to offenses committed on or after that date.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3003