S.B. No. 465 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 offenses into various classifications of misdemeanors and felonies based on the financial loss incurred, with heightened penalties for crimes involving firearms and explosives. It also introduces new sections (32.56 and 32.57) that make it illegal to present false documents in real property transactions and to fraudulently sell, rent, or lease residential properties, with penalties ranging from Class A misdemeanors to state jail felonies.

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 clarifying the liabilities of sheriffs and property owners during the removal process. The legislation also allows individuals 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)