PRIA Logo™
TexasSB 173489th Legislature Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Relating to status of certain documents or instruments purporting to convey title to or an interest in real property.

Sponsored By: Salman Bhojani, Angie Chen Button, Oscar Longoria, Claudia Ordaz, Keresa Richardson, Royce West (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

County Government--Employees/OfficersCourts--AppellateCourts--JudgesProperty Interests--Real PropertyFRAUD

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Homeowners gain tools to challenge title fraud

Beginning September 1, 2025, Texas property owners have a new court process to challenge fraudulent recorded property transfers. A document is presumed fraudulent when a conviction under Penal Code Title 7 or 8 involves it. Owners can also record a notarized fraud affidavit and mailing certificate in the county where the property lies. They must send the affidavit and notice to the named grantor and grantee at their last known addresses. Mailing must be registered or certified, with a return receipt requested. Either recipient has 120 days after the mailing certificate is filed to record a response affidavit. Without a timely response, the document is presumed fraudulent and the owner can seek court review. The sworn petition must include the challenged document and proof of either the qualifying conviction or unanswered affidavit process. A district judge can decide from documents and public records without notice or testimony; appeals receive expedited review. The written ruling states whether the document transfers a property interest and must be recorded and indexed. Copies must reach the petitioner and document filer within seven days of issuance. Clerks cannot charge to file the petition or record the ruling.

Property buyers gain court-backed title protection

Beginning September 1, 2025, good-faith property buyers and mortgage lenders who give value gain added title protection. They can rely conclusively on a recorded court ruling under the new review process that a document transfers no property interest. This protection also covers anyone who takes over the buyer's or lender's rights.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Salman Bhojani

    House

  • Angie Chen Button

    House

  • Oscar Longoria

    House

  • Claudia Ordaz

    House

  • Keresa Richardson

    House

  • Royce West

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 298 • No: 19

Senate vote • 5/20/2025

Record vote

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 5/15/2025

Record vote

Yes: 121 • No: 18

House vote • 5/14/2025

Record vote

Yes: 133 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

Record vote

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Jurisprudence

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    5/30/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    5/30/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    5/21/2025House

  4. Signed in the House

    5/21/2025House

  5. Signed in the Senate

    5/21/2025Senate

  6. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

    5/21/2025House

  7. Reported enrolled

    5/21/2025Senate

  8. Record vote

    5/20/2025Senate

  9. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

    5/20/2025Senate

  10. Read

    5/20/2025Senate

  11. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

    5/20/2025Senate

  12. House passage as amended reported

    5/15/2025Senate

  13. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/15/2025House

  14. Record vote (RV#2602)

    5/15/2025House

  15. Passed as amended

    5/15/2025House

  16. Amended (1-Bhojani)

    5/15/2025House

  17. Read 3rd time

    5/15/2025House

  18. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

    5/14/2025House

  19. Record vote (RV#2545)

    5/14/2025House

  20. Passed to 3rd reading

    5/14/2025House

  21. Read 2nd time

    5/14/2025House

  22. Laid out in lieu of companion (HB 4531)

    5/14/2025House

  23. Committee report sent to Calendars

    5/14/2025House

  24. Committee report distributed

    5/13/2025House

  25. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator

    5/13/2025House

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation