Bill > HB3395

This bill establishes a new legal mechanism for transferring ownership of manufactured homes classified as personal property upon the owner's death through a beneficiary designation. The legislation allows owners of manufactured homes to designate one or more beneficiaries who will receive ownership of the home automatically when the owner dies, similar to how beneficiary designations work for other types of property. To create this designation, owners must submit an application to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) with the specific beneficiary information on the statement of ownership. The beneficiary designation is revocable, does not create any legal interest for the beneficiary during the owner's lifetime, and does not affect the owner's ability to transfer or encumber the home. Beneficiaries must apply for the new ownership within 365 days of the owner's death, or the designation becomes void. For homes owned by joint owners with right of survivorship, all joint owners must agree to the beneficiary designation, and it can be changed or revoked only by all owners or the last surviving owner. The bill also clarifies that the beneficiary takes the home subject to any existing encumbrances or liens, and the transfer does not impair a lienholder's ability to collect debt. The new law will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3395