The bill, H.B. No. 3273, introduces several amendments and new provisions related to adverse possession, unauthorized sales or rentals of real property, and the removal of unauthorized occupants from dwellings in Texas. It amends Section 16.022 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to clarify the definition of a person under legal disability, adding a new subsection (a-1) that expands the criteria to include individuals attending institutions of higher education. Additionally, it creates a new criminal offense under Section 32.57 of the Penal Code for the fraudulent sale, rental, or lease of residential real property, classifying such offenses as felonies of the first degree.

Furthermore, the bill establishes Chapter 24B in the Property Code, which outlines the process for property owners or their agents to request the immediate removal of unauthorized occupants by the sheriff. This includes specific conditions under which removal can occur, such as the property not being open to the public and the absence of pending litigation. The bill also details the complaint process, verification by the sheriff, and the liability protections for both sheriffs and property owners. It stipulates that the sheriff may charge a fee for their services in these removal actions, and it provides a framework for individuals wrongfully removed to seek damages. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.022, Subchapter D, Chapter , Penal Code 61.003 (Subchapter D, Chapter , Penal Code 61, Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16)