H.B. No. 2105 seeks to strengthen legal measures against unauthorized entry and occupancy of real property by amending Section 28.03 of the Penal Code. The bill reclassifies misdemeanors and felonies based on the pecuniary loss incurred, particularly focusing on offenses that involve damage to habitations and public utilities. It introduces new criminal offenses related to the use of false documents in property transactions and the fraudulent sale, rental, or lease of residential real property, 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 under specific conditions. It provides liability protections for sheriffs and property owners during the removal process and allows property owners to seek damages for wrongful removals. The new provisions will apply only to offenses committed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025, ensuring that prior offenses are governed by the existing law at the time they occurred.

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