H.B. No. 414 seeks to enhance the legal framework surrounding unauthorized entry and occupancy of real property in Texas by introducing new criminal offenses and increasing penalties for related crimes. The bill amends Section 28.03 of the Penal Code to categorize various misdemeanors and felonies based on the financial loss incurred, particularly focusing on offenses that involve damage to habitations and public utilities. It also introduces new sections (32.56 and 32.57) that make it a crime to present false documents for property conveyance and to engage in the fraudulent sale, rental, or lease of residential real property, with the latter classified as a first-degree felony.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a new Chapter 24B in the Property Code, detailing the process for property owners to request the immediate removal of unauthorized occupants by the sheriff. This includes procedures for verifying complaints, serving notices to vacate, and outlining the liabilities of sheriffs and property owners during the removal process. The legislation also allows individuals who have been wrongfully removed from properties to recover damages, thereby balancing the rights of property owners with protections for occupants. The Act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, ensuring that offenses committed before this date will be governed by the existing law, thus providing a clear transition period for all parties involved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Penal Code 28.03 (Penal Code 28)