By:  Henderson                                         S.B. No. 738
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
                                        AN ACT
    1-1  relating to nonlawyer representation in a forcible detainer or a
    1-2  forcible entry and detainer suit in justice court.
    1-3        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-4        SECTION 1.  Section 24.011, Property Code, is amended to read
    1-5  as follows:
    1-6        Sec. 24.011.  Nonlawyer Representation.  In forcible detainer
    1-7  suits in justice court for nonpayment of rent or holding over
    1-8  beyond a rental term, landlords <the parties> may represent
    1-9  themselves or be represented by their employees or the employees of
   1-10  their authorized managing agents, who need not be attorneys, and
   1-11  tenants may represent themselves or be represented by any
   1-12  nonattorney who does not charge the tenant a fee for
   1-13  representation.  In any forcible detainer or forcible entry and
   1-14  detainer suit in justice court, an authorized agent requesting or
   1-15  obtaining a default judgment need not be an attorney.  Any party
   1-16  may be represented by an attorney.
   1-17        SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
   1-18  to a forcible detainer or a forcible entry and detainer suit filed
   1-19  on or after the effective date of this Act.  A suit filed before
   1-20  the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when
   1-21  the suit was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for
   1-22  that purpose.
   1-23        SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
   1-24  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
    2-1  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
    2-2  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
    2-3  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.