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HB 3003

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.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Jay Dean and 2 co-sponsors

Texas bill criminalizes unauthorized real property entry, squatting, and fraudulent property transactions while authorizing enforcement fees and expedited occupant removal procedures.

Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
#civilremedies&liabilities(i0065) #crimes--againstproperty(i0175) #fraud(s0166) #lawenforcement(i0510) #propertyinterests--realproperty(i0595) #sheriffs(s1013)
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Bill Summary · HB 3003

Legislative bill overview

HB 3003 creates and strengthens criminal penalties for unauthorized entry, occupancy, and transactions involving real property in Texas. The bill establishes new offenses related to squatting, unlawful dwelling occupation, and fraudulent property sales or rentals, while also authorizing collection of associated fees for enforcement.

Why is this important

Property rights and housing security are fundamental economic and legal concerns. This bill addresses growing concerns about squatting and unauthorized property occupation, which can affect homeowners' ability to access their own property, complicate property transactions, and create public safety issues. The legislation also impacts rental markets and property commerce by criminalizing fraudulent leasing arrangements.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional clarity: What constitutes "unauthorized occupancy" versus legitimate tenant disputes or eviction scenarios; risk of overlap with existing property law that already addresses trespassing and eviction
  • Enforcement burden: Creation of new criminal offenses requires law enforcement resources; may strain local police departments already managing higher-priority crimes
  • Due process concerns: Rapid removal procedures could conflict with existing legal protections requiring proper notice and court proceedings before property removal; questions about who determines "unauthorized" status
  • Fee structure: Authorization of new fees may disproportionately impact lower-income property owners or create incentive misalignment if fees benefit enforcement agencies
  • Distinction from existing law: Unclear how these new criminal offenses differ from current trespassing, criminal mischief, and unlawful occupancy statutes already in Texas Penal Code

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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