In a move that seeks to reinforce property rights in Austin, Governor Greg Abbott officiated the signing of two new pieces of legislation targeting squatters on private property. During a ceremony at the Texas Capitol, Abbott highlighted the significance of these laws as a response to the growing difficulty property owners have been facing when attempting to reclaim their occupied properties.
Abbott explained the importance of the bills, stating, "Private property rights are a cornerstone of our Texas values,” as reported by the Texas Governor's official website. The governor emphasized the strain Texas homeowners have faced, stating, "Texas is facing a squatting crisis, with property owners struggling to evict delinquent tenants or remove people who were never supposed to be on their property in the first place." The legislation signed into law is meant to provide homeowners with a powerful tool to safeguard their rights.
The first of the two laws, Senate Bill 38 – which clarifies venue requirements and sets definitive timelines for eviction proceedings – necessitates that a court hold an eviction trial within 21 days of a petition being filed. This bill was developed to expedite the typically lengthy legal process associated with evictions and remove squatters more efficiently.
Senate Bill 1333 seeks to further aid property owners by empowering law enforcement officials to act quickly upon receiving a sworn complaint from a property owner regarding unlawful possession. Additionally, this bill introduces heightened criminal penalties for criminal trespass and related offenses, including fraudulent real estate transactions. The ceremony was attended by notable figures, including Speaker Dustin Burrows, several Texas senators and representatives, and leaders from the Texas Association of Business and the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
As Austin has grown, and the value of land with it, squatter-related incidents have posed increasing challenges for property owners in the city. These laws are intended to address that challenge head-on, creating a more efficient process for addressing unauthorized occupants and ensuring that property rights are upheld in a state where they are deeply valued.
