All Roll Calls
Yes: 377 • No: 73
TexasSB 133389th Legislature Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Relating to the unauthorized entry, occupancy, sale, rental, lease, advertisement for sale, rental, or lease, or conveyance of real property, including the removal of certain unauthorized occupants of a dwelling; creating criminal offenses; increasing a criminal penalty; authorizing a fee.
Sponsored By: Bryan Hughes (Republican), Jeff Leach
Signed by Governor
Civil Remedies & LiabilitiesCrimes--Against PropertyLaw EnforcementProperty Interests--Real PropertyFRAUDSHERIFFS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.
Faster occupant removal with owner fees
Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas residential property owners or agents can file a sworn complaint seeking immediate occupant removal. The occupant must have entered unlawfully, stayed without consent, and refused a direction to leave. The home cannot have been open to the public at entry, and no lawsuit about the property can be pending between them. Current or former tenants under oral or written leases and the owner's immediate family members are excluded. A sheriff or constable must verify ownership or agency status and eligibility, serve an immediate-vacate notice, and restore the owner's possession. Officers must identify occupants and may arrest people for outstanding warrants or offenses supported by probable cause. Owners can request officer presence while changing locks and placing belongings at or near the property line. The requester pays the writ-of-possession fee, plus a possible reasonable hourly charge for requested officer presence; the law sets no dollar amounts.
Higher penalties for trespass home damage
For offenses committed beginning September 1, 2025, damaging a home during criminal trespass is a second-degree felony when loss is at least $1,000 but less than $300,000. The law also organizes criminal-mischief penalties by dollar loss and specified harms. Loss below $100 generally falls under Class C; $100 to less than $750 is Class B. Loss of $750 to less than $2,500 is Class A; $2,500 to less than $30,000 is a state jail felony. Loss of $30,000 to less than $150,000 is a third-degree felony. Loss of $150,000 to less than $300,000 is a second-degree felony; $300,000 or more is a first-degree felony. Substantial inconvenience can also qualify as Class C, subject to exceptions. Impairing or diverting public water qualifies as Class A regardless of loss. Specified firearm or explosive damage to homes, livestock-fence damage, flood-control or utility harm, and catalytic-converter removal can qualify as state jail felonies regardless of loss. Killing cattle, bison, or horses, interrupting ATM access, or impairing or diverting public power qualifies as a third-degree felony regardless of loss.
Wrongful removal lawsuits and liability limits
Beginning September 1, 2025, people wrongfully removed through the new process can sue the person who requested removal. This also covers people whose belongings were wrongfully removed. They can seek possession, actual damages, court costs, reasonable lawyer fees, and exemplary damages equal to three times the home's fair market rent. Courts must schedule these cases for the earliest practical hearing date. Sheriffs and constables are shielded from claims for property loss or damage resulting from removal. Owners and agents also have protection for personal-property loss or damage, subject to the wrongful-removal lawsuit right.
New criminal penalties for housing fraud
Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas law adds criminal protections against false property documents and unauthorized housing offers. Knowingly showing someone a fake lease, deed, or similar ownership document to enter or stay on property is a Class A misdemeanor. Knowingly listing, advertising, selling, renting, or leasing residential property without legal title or authority is a first-degree felony. The transaction offense excludes lenders, title companies, licensed brokers or agents, and their workers or agents who did not know another participant lacked authority. Both crimes can be prosecuted alongside, or instead of, other applicable crimes.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Bryan Hughes
Republican • Senate
Jeff Leach
House
Cosponsors
Lois Kolkhorst
Republican • Senate
Borris L. Miles
Democratic • Senate
Kevin Sparks
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/28/2025
Record vote
Yes: 27 • No: 4
House vote • 5/23/2025
Record vote
Yes: 113 • No: 22
House vote • 5/22/2025
Record vote
Yes: 110 • No: 31
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Record vote
Yes: 27 • No: 4
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Record vote
Yes: 27 • No: 4
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Record vote
Yes: 27 • No: 4
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Record vote
Yes: 27 • No: 4
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: State Affairs
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the House
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/30/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
5/29/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/28/2025SenateRecord vote
5/28/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)
5/28/2025SenateRead
5/28/2025SenateHouse amendment(s) laid before the Senate
5/28/2025SenateHouse passage as amended reported
5/23/2025SenateStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/23/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3324)
5/23/2025HousePassed
5/23/2025HouseRead 3rd time
5/23/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3244)
5/22/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading
5/22/2025HouseRead 2nd time
5/22/2025HousePlaced on General State Calendar
5/21/2025HouseConsidered in Calendars
5/19/2025HouseCommittee report sent to Calendars
5/15/2025HouseCommittee report distributed
5/15/2025HouseComte report filed with Committee Coordinator
5/15/2025HouseReported favorably as substituted
5/7/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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