Texas SB38: Relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises.

What the bill says

An act relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises.

From the enrolled text, May 29, 2025:

AN ACT relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 24.004, Property Code, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a justice court in the precinct in which the real property is located has jurisdiction in[ADDED: an]eviction[ADDED: suit][[DELETED: suits]]. Eviction suits include forcible entry and detainer and forcible detainer suits. A justice court has jurisdiction to issue a writ of possession under[ADDED: this chapter] [[DELETED: Sections 24.0054(a), (a-2), and (a-3)]]. [ADDED: (c)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: A justice court in which a petition is filed under ] [ADDED: Section 24.00505 must adjudicate the right to actual possession of ] [ADDED: the premises. ][ADDED: ][ADDED: The justice court may not adjudicate title to the ] [ADDED: premises. Counterclaims and the joinder of suits against third ] [ADDED: parties are not permitted in eviction suits. ][ADDED: ][ADDED: This subsection does ] [ADDED: not preclude a claim that may not be asserted under this subsection ] [ADDED: from being brought in a separate suit in a court of proper ] [ADDED: jurisdiction.] SECTION 2. Chapter 24, Property Code, is amended by adding Sections …

Sponsors

• Paul Bettencourt (R, SD-007) · primary sponsor
• Cesar Blanco (D, SD-029)
• Donna Campbell (R, SD-025)
• Charles Creighton (R, SD-004)
• Brent Hagenbuch (R, SD-030)
• Joan Huffman (R, SD-017)
• Bryan Hughes (R, SD-001)
• Lois Kolkhorst (R, SD-018)
• Mayes Middleton (R)
• Tan Parker (R)
• Angela Paxton (R, SD-008)
• Kevin Sparks (R, SD-031)

Latest actions

1. June 20, 2025: See remarks for effective date
2. June 20, 2025: Signed by the Governor
3. June 1, 2025: Sent to the Governor
4. June 1, 2025: Signed in the House
5. May 31, 2025: Signed in the Senate
6. May 29, 2025: Reported enrolled
7. May 29, 2025: Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
8. May 28, 2025: Record vote
9. May 28, 2025: Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
10. May 28, 2025: Read

Votes

• State Affairs Committee Vote (Out of committee): 9 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee Vote (Out of committee): 6 yea, 4 nay, passed
• Senate concurs in House amendment(s) (May 28, 2025): 23 yea, 8 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3464 (May 24, 2025): 85 yea, 44 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#4057 (May 23, 2025): 115 yea, 21 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#4023 (May 23, 2025): 110 yea, 18 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB38?

SB38 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises.

What does SB38 do?

In its own words: An act relating to the eviction from real property of certain persons not entitled to enter, occupy, or remain in possession of the premises.

What is the status of SB38?

Signed into law as of June 20, 2025. Latest action: See remarks for effective date (June 20, 2025).

Who sponsored SB38?

Paul Bettencourt (R, SD-007), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB38?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB00038