H.B. No. 3274 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 various misdemeanors and felonies based on the pecuniary loss incurred, particularly focusing on property damage caused by firearms or explosives. Additionally, it introduces new sections, 32.56 and 32.57, which criminalize the use of false documents in real property transactions and the fraudulent sale, rental, or lease of residential real property.

Furthermore, the bill establishes 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 outlining the liabilities of sheriffs and property owners during the removal process. Property owners may incur fees for sheriff services, and individuals wrongfully removed from properties are provided a legal avenue 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 clarity and fairness in the application of the new legal standards.

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