Bill > SB15

This bill establishes two new criminal offenses related to real property: real property theft and real property fraud, while also modifying several existing legal statutes to support these new provisions. The bill creates specific criminal offenses for illegally transferring or attempting to transfer real property without the owner's consent, with penalties ranging from third-degree to first-degree felonies depending on the value of the property or benefit involved. The legislation introduces enhanced penalties for offenses targeting elderly individuals, disabled individuals, or property with homestead exemptions. Additionally, the bill requires county clerks to collect photo identification when filing real property documents and mandates that criminal court judgments involving real property theft or fraud include specific identifying information about the property. The bill also establishes a statute of limitations for these new offenses, allowing prosecution within ten years from the date of the crime. County clerks are now required to notify law enforcement if a document filed in real property records is alleged to be fraudulent, and the bill includes provisions for restitution to property owners who have been victims of these types of property crimes. The changes are set to take effect on the 91st day after the legislative session, with some specific provisions becoming effective on January 1, 2026.