The bill, H.B. No. 733, introduces new requirements for verifying the citizenship or legal residency of purchasers involved in certain residential real property transactions within platted subdivisions. It establishes a new subchapter in the Property Code that mandates sellers to obtain proof of citizenship or legal residency from potential buyers before entering into contracts. Acceptable forms of proof include U.S. passports, certificates of citizenship, social security numbers combined with state-issued photo identification, or foreign passports paired with residency documents. Additionally, sellers are required to file an affidavit affirming the verification of the purchaser's status along with a copy of the contract within 30 days of execution.

The bill also creates a criminal offense for violations of these requirements, classifying it as a Class B misdemeanor, with escalated penalties for repeat offenders. The changes will only apply to contracts entered into after the bill's effective date of September 1, 2025, ensuring that existing contracts are governed by the previous law. This legislation aims to enhance the integrity of residential real estate transactions by ensuring that all parties involved are legally eligible to engage in such contracts.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()