H.B. No. 4467 seeks to enhance the legal framework surrounding unauthorized entry and occupancy of real property in Texas by introducing new criminal offenses and adjusting penalties for related crimes. The bill amends Section 28.03 of the Penal Code, redefining misdemeanor and felony classifications based on the pecuniary loss associated with property damage. It specifically establishes that offenses involving false or fraudulent documents related to real property will be classified as Class A misdemeanors, while fraudulent sales, rentals, or leases of residential real property will be classified as first-degree felonies.

Additionally, the bill creates a new chapter in the Property Code that empowers property owners or their agents to request the immediate removal of unauthorized occupants by the sheriff under certain conditions, such as the property not being open to the public and the occupant not being a current or former tenant. It outlines the complaint submission process, verification procedures, and liability protections for sheriffs and property owners involved in these removals. 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 at that time.

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