S.B. No. 1333 is a legislative bill designed to combat unauthorized entry and occupancy of real property in Texas by introducing new criminal offenses and enhancing penalties for related crimes. The bill amends Section 28.03 of the Penal Code to categorize various misdemeanors and felonies based on the financial loss incurred, with heightened penalties for offenses involving firearms, explosives, and public utilities. It also creates new sections (32.56 and 32.57) that make it a crime to present false documents for property conveyance and to engage in fraudulent sales, rentals, or leases of residential real property, with the latter classified as a first-degree felony.

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 chapter outlines the conditions for such requests, the complaint format, and the sheriff's duties in verifying complaints and serving eviction notices. It also includes liability protections for sheriffs and property owners against wrongful removal, while allowing wrongfully removed individuals to seek damages. 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, thereby providing a clear transition period for law enforcement and the public.

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