H.B. No. 2105 addresses unauthorized entry and occupancy of real property by establishing new criminal offenses and increasing penalties for related crimes. The bill amends Section 28.03(b) of the Penal Code to redefine misdemeanor and felony classifications based on the pecuniary loss associated with property damage. It introduces new offenses under Sections 32.56 and 32.57 for presenting false documents related to real property and for the fraudulent sale, rental, or lease of residential real property, with penalties ranging from Class A misdemeanors to state jail felonies depending on the crime's nature.

Additionally, the bill creates Chapter 24B in the Property Code, detailing the process for property owners to request the removal of unauthorized occupants, including provisions for sheriffs to serve notices to vacate. It also outlines liability protections for sheriffs and property owners during the removal process and allows for actions against wrongful removals. The Act will take effect on September 1, 2025, ensuring that offenses committed before this date will be governed by existing law, thus providing clarity and fairness in the application of the new legal standards.

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