TexasSB 1689th Legislature 2nd Called SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to real property theft and real property fraud; establishing recording requirements for certain documents concerning real property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations, restitution, and certain procedures with respect to those offenses.

Sponsored By: Carol Alvarado (Democratic), Rafael Anchía, Trent Ashby, Paul Bettencourt (Republican), César Blanco (Democratic), Briscoe Cain, Donna Campbell (Republican), Creighton, Mano DeAyala, Paul Dyson, Sarah Eckhardt (Democratic), Lulu Flores, Roland Gutierrez (Democratic), Brent Hagenbuch (Republican), Bob Hall (Republican), Adam Hinojosa (Republican), Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (Democratic), Joan Huffman (Republican), Bryan Hughes (Republican), Ann Johnson, Ken King, José Menéndez (Democratic), Mayes Middleton (Republican), Borris L. Miles (Democratic), Robert Nichols (Republican), Tan Parker (Republican), Angela Paxton (Republican), Charles Perry (Republican), Charles Schwertner (Republican), Kevin Sparks (Republican), Royce West (Democratic)

Became Law

County Government--GeneralCourts--GeneralCourts--Prosecuting AttorneysCrimes--Against PropertyCriminal Procedure--Sentencing & PunishmentProperty Interests--Mortgages & LiensProperty Interests--Real PropertyFRAUDIDENTIFICATION CARDSRECORDS MANAGEMENTSTATUTES OF LIMITATIONSATTORNEY GENERALSECRETARY OF STATE

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New crimes for deed theft and fraud

The law creates two crimes: real property theft and real property fraud. It covers deed or lien schemes done without the owner’s consent and with intent to deprive, defraud, or harm, including false written claims and forged or wrongly filed papers. Penalties scale by market value: first-degree felony at $300,000 or more, second-degree if under $300,000. Punishment rises one level if the owner is elderly, disabled, a nonprofit, or the home has a homestead tax exemption. Prosecutors have 10 years to bring charges, courts can order restitution, and general theft definitions no longer cover real estate because these new crimes do.

Quick fix for fake liens on prison staff

If an inmate files a lien naming a Texas prison employee or board member, that person can file a sworn affidavit to challenge it. The Secretary of State must ask the Attorney General to review. If it is fraudulent, the state files a termination statement and may refuse the filing. The Attorney General can also require the filer to provide supporting documents.

Court orders must hit property records

For these crimes, the judgment must list the property’s street address or legal description and the county clerk reference numbers for related documents. Within 10 days, the prosecutor or court clerk must record a certified copy in the county property records and include a short explanation. If the judgment lacks required listings, they must also file a certified copy of the indictment. A conviction or deferred order is not void just because these recording or listing steps were missed.

Photo ID and alerts for deed filings

County clerks must check a photo ID for anyone who brings real property documents in person and must copy or record the ID at no extra fee. A deed or similar paper cannot be recorded unless it is properly signed and acknowledged, and the in‑person presenter shows photo ID. Starting January 1, 2026, if someone reports a recorded property document as fraudulent, the clerk must alert local law enforcement and share the filer’s photo ID information.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Carol Alvarado

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rafael Anchía

    House

  • Trent Ashby

    House

  • Paul Bettencourt

    Republican • Senate

  • César Blanco

    Democratic • Senate

  • Briscoe Cain

    House

  • Donna Campbell

    Republican • Senate

  • Creighton

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Mano DeAyala

    House

  • Paul Dyson

    House

  • Sarah Eckhardt

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lulu Flores

    House

  • Roland Gutierrez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Brent Hagenbuch

    Republican • Senate

  • Bob Hall

    Republican • Senate

  • Adam Hinojosa

    Republican • Senate

  • Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joan Huffman

    Republican • Senate

  • Bryan Hughes

    Republican • Senate

  • Ann Johnson

    House

  • Ken King

    House

  • José Menéndez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mayes Middleton

    Republican • Senate

  • Borris L. Miles

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Nichols

    Republican • Senate

  • Tan Parker

    Republican • Senate

  • Angela Paxton

    Republican • Senate

  • Charles Perry

    Republican • Senate

  • Charles Schwertner

    Republican • Senate

  • Kevin Sparks

    Republican • Senate

  • Royce West

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Lois Kolkhorst

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 336 • No: 33

Senate vote 8/27/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 3

House vote 8/26/2025

Record vote

Yes: 138 • No: 0

House vote 8/26/2025

Record vote

Yes: 138 • No: 0

Senate vote 8/18/2025

Record vote

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote 8/18/2025

Record vote

Yes: 30 • No: 0

Senate vote 8/15/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 30

Actions Timeline

  1. See remarks for effective date

    9/17/2025House
  2. Signed by the Governor

    9/17/2025House
  3. Sent to the Governor

    8/28/2025House
  4. Signed in the House

    8/28/2025House
  5. Signed in the Senate

    8/28/2025Senate
  6. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

    8/28/2025House
  7. Reported enrolled

    8/27/2025Senate
  8. Record vote

    8/27/2025Senate
  9. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

    8/27/2025Senate
  10. Read

    8/27/2025Senate
  11. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

    8/27/2025Senate
  12. House passage as amended reported

    8/26/2025Senate
  13. Reason for vote recorded in Journal

    8/26/2025House
  14. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    8/26/2025House
  15. Record vote (RV#84)

    8/26/2025House
  16. Passed

    8/26/2025House
  17. Read 3rd time

    8/26/2025House
  18. Additional sponsor(s) authorized

    8/26/2025House
  19. Rules suspended

    8/26/2025House
  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    8/26/2025House
  21. Record vote (RV#72)

    8/26/2025House
  22. Passed to 3rd reading as amended

    8/26/2025House
  23. Amended (1-Harless)

    8/26/2025House
  24. Read 2nd time

    8/26/2025House
  25. Placed on General State Calendar

    8/26/2025House

Bill Text

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