By Henderson S.B. No. 738
74R5624 PAM-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to nonlawyer representation in a forcible detainer or a
1-3 forcible entry and detainer suit in justice court.
1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-5 SECTION 1. Section 24.011, Property Code, is amended to read
1-6 as follows:
1-7 Sec. 24.011. Nonlawyer Representation. In forcible detainer
1-8 suits in justice court for nonpayment of rent or holding over
1-9 beyond a rental term, landlords <the parties> may represent
1-10 themselves or be represented by their authorized employees and
1-11 tenants may represent themselves or be represented by a person who
1-12 resides on the premises that are the subject of the suit. A
1-13 representative designated by a landlord or tenant <agents, who>
1-14 need not be an attorney <attorneys>. In any forcible detainer or
1-15 forcible entry and detainer suit in justice court, an authorized
1-16 representative <agent> requesting or obtaining a default judgment
1-17 need not be an attorney.
1-18 SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only
1-19 to a forcible detainer or a forcible entry and detainer suit filed
1-20 on or after the effective date of this Act. A suit filed before
1-21 the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when
1-22 the suit was filed, and the former law is continued in effect for
1-23 that purpose.
1-24 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-1 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-2 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-3 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-4 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.