H.B. No. 1076 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 classify various misdemeanors and felonies based on the pecuniary loss incurred, particularly focusing on property damage caused by firearms or explosives. It also introduces new sections (32.56 and 32.57) that criminalize the use of false documents in property transactions and the fraudulent sale, rental, or lease of residential real property, with the latter being classified as a first-degree felony.

Furthermore, the bill establishes a new Chapter 24B in the Property Code, which outlines a process for property owners to request the immediate removal of unauthorized occupants by the sheriff under specific conditions. This includes stipulations that the property must not be open to the public and that the occupant is neither a tenant nor a family member. The bill also details the complaint process, verification by the sheriff, and liability protections for both the sheriff and property owners in wrongful removal cases. H.B. No. 1076 is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, ensuring that offenses committed before this date will be governed by existing law, thereby providing clarity and fairness in the application of the new legal provisions.

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