88(3) HB 178 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to verification of identity and employment authorization |
 
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in connection with certain contracts for or concerning the |
 
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conveyance of residential real property and residential leases. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Chapter 5, Property Code, is amended by adding |
 
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Subchapter I to read as follows: |
 
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SUBCHAPTER I. REQUIREMENT TO VERIFY IDENTITY AND EMPLOYMENT |
 
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AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS |
 
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             Sec.  5.301.    DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
 
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                         (1)    "Commercial real property" means real property |
 
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that is held or used for the production of income, including |
 
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industrial real property. |
 
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                         (2)    "Employment authorization" means a citizenship or |
 
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immigration status that provides the right to work in the United |
 
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States as established for purposes of 8 C.F.R. Section 274a.2. |
 
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                         (3)    "Residential real property" means real property |
 
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that is improved and is designed principally for residential |
 
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occupancy or vacant land that may be improved for that purpose. The |
 
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term includes an individual unit of a condominium or cooperative. |
 
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The term does not include commercial real property. |
 
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             Sec.  5.302.    APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter |
 
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applies only to a contract for or concerning the conveyance of |
 
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residential real property with respect to which the seller: |
 
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                         (1)    enters into an executory contract for conveyance |
 
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of the property that allows the purchaser to take immediate |
 
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possession of the property and make periodic payments toward the |
 
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purchase price before the deed is delivered to the purchaser; |
 
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                         (2)    grants a potential purchaser an option to purchase |
 
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the property that includes or is combined or executed concurrently |
 
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with a residential lease agreement; or |
 
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                         (3)    provides a mortgage loan to an individual to |
 
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purchase the property. |
 
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             Sec.  5.303.    EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY AND EMPLOYMENT |
 
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AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL REAL PROPERTY |
 
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TRANSACTIONS. (a)  A seller may not enter into a contract for or |
 
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concerning the conveyance of residential real property to which |
 
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this subchapter applies unless the seller requires the purchaser or |
 
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potential purchaser to: |
 
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                         (1)    attest to the purchaser's or potential purchaser's |
 
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employment authorization; and |
 
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                         (2)    provide to the property owner evidence of the |
 
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purchaser's or potential purchaser's identity and employment |
 
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authorization. |
 
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             (b)    A seller shall obtain the attestation required under |
 
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Subsection (a)(1) and record details of the evidence provided under |
 
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Subsection (a)(2) on a form similar to Form I-9 as provided by 8 |
 
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C.F.R. Section 274a.2. |
 
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             Sec.  5.304.    CONTRACT OR CONVEYANCE VOID IN CASE OF |
 
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VIOLATION.  A contract entered into in violation of Section 5.303 |
 
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and any conveyance made under that contract is void. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is |
 
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amended by adding Section 92.027 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  92.027.    EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY AND EMPLOYMENT |
 
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AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED FOR LEASE. (a)  In this section, |
 
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"employment authorization"  means a citizenship or immigration |
 
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status that provides the right to work in the United States as |
 
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established for purposes of 8 C.F.R. Section 274a.2. |
 
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             (b)    A landlord may not enter into a lease of residential |
 
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rental property unless the landlord requires the tenant to: |
 
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                         (1)    attest to the tenant's employment authorization; |
 
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and |
 
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                         (2)    provide to the landlord evidence of the tenant's |
 
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identity and employment authorization. |
 
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             (c)    A landlord shall obtain the attestation required under |
 
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Subsection (b)(1) and record details of the evidenceStatutes affected: Introduced: ()
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