Governor Greg Abbott has signed Senate Bill 38 and Senate Bill 1333 into law at the Texas Capitol, aiming to address issues related to squatters on private property in Austin. The new laws are intended to close loopholes, strengthen homeowners’ rights, and provide clearer processes for removing unauthorized occupants.
“Private property rights are a cornerstone of our Texas values,” said Governor Abbott. “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. Through these new laws, homeowners now have an efficient means of evicting squatters from their property.”
The bill signing ceremony included Speaker Dustin Burrows, Senator Bryan Hughes, Senator Paul Bettencourt, Representative Angie Chen Button, Representative Jeff Leach, Texas Association of Business President and CEO Glenn Hamer, Texas Public Policy Foundation CEO Greg Sindelar, and Greystar Managing Director of Real Estate Renee Zahn.
Senate Bill 38 clarifies where eviction cases should be filed and sets consistent timelines for trials and appeals. Courts are now required to hold a trial within 21 days after an eviction petition is filed.
Senate Bill 1333 gives sheriffs and constables more authority to act when a property owner files a sworn complaint about unlawful occupation. The law also raises criminal penalties for crimes involving trespassing in homes or conducting real estate transactions without legal ownership.
