The bill amends the Texas Property Code to streamline the eviction process and clarify the jurisdiction of justice courts in eviction suits. It specifies that eviction suits must be filed in the justice precinct where the property is located, with provisions for transferring cases to adjacent precincts under certain conditions. The bill introduces new sections outlining the requirements for filing a sworn petition, the computation of time for legal proceedings, and the legislature's authority to modify eviction procedures. Additionally, it revises notice requirements for landlords, ensuring tenants receive adequate notice to vacate, and allows local courts to adopt rules for eviction suits without imposing additional requirements beyond the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

Key changes include the removal of references to "nonpayment of rent" in certain sections, broadening the applicability of the provisions. The bill mandates that tenants pay rent into the court registry during the appeal process and introduces a new section relieving tenants of the obligation to pay rent to the landlord for the rental period covered by their court registry payment. It also requires justice courts to hold simultaneous hearings on rent amount contests and tenants' statements of inability to afford court costs. The bill clarifies that a writ of possession can be issued without a hearing during an appeal under specific conditions and specifies that landlords are responsible for the costs associated with issuing and executing the writ. The changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, with eviction procedure rules effective September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Property Code 24.004, Property Code 24.005, Property Code 24.0051, Property Code 24.00511, Property Code 24.00512, Property Code 24.0052, Property Code 24.0053, Property Code 24.0054, Property Code 24.006, Property Code 24.0061, Property Code 24.0062, Property Code 24.011 (Property Code 24)
House Committee Report: Property Code 24.004, Property Code 24.005, Property Code 24.0051, Property Code 24.00511, Property Code 24.00512, Property Code 24.0052, Property Code 24.0053, Property Code 24.0054, Property Code 24.0061, Property Code 24.011 (Property Code 24)