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.