1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to notice to tenants of certain changes in policy by a
 1-3     landlord.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Section 92.013 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 92.013.  NOTICE OF RULE OR POLICY CHANGE AFFECTING
 1-8     TENANT'S PERSONAL PROPERTY.  (a)  A landlord shall give prior
 1-9     written notice to a tenant regarding a landlord rule or policy
1-10     change that is not included in the lease agreement and that will
1-11     affect any personal property owned by the tenant that is located
1-12     outside the tenant's dwelling, including any change in vehicle
1-13     towing rules or policies.
1-14           (b)  The notice must be given in person or by mail to the
1-15     affected tenant.  Notice in person may be by personal delivery to
1-16     the tenant or any person residing at the tenant's dwelling who is
1-17     16 years of age or older or by personal delivery to the tenant's
1-18     dwelling and affixing the notice to the inside of the main entry
1-19     door.  Notice by mail may be by regular mail, by registered mail,
1-20     or by certified mail, return receipt requested.  If the dwelling
1-21     has no mailbox and has a keyless bolting device, alarm system, or
1-22     dangerous animal that prevents the landlord from entering the
1-23     premises to leave the notice on the inside of the main entry door,
1-24     the landlord may securely affix the notice on the outside of the
 2-1     main entry door.
 2-2           (c)  A landlord who fails to give notice as required by this
 2-3     section is liable to the tenant for any expense incurred by the
 2-4     tenant as a result of the landlord's failure to give the notice.
 2-5           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
 2-6           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-7     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-8     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-9     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-10     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2408 was passed by the House on May
         8, 1999, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 2408 was passed by the Senate on May
         26, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  _____________________
                            Date
                    _____________________
                          Governor