By Grusendorf, et al. H.B. No. 3182 76R10732 PAM-F A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to procedures applicable in a suit filed by a landlord to 1-3 evict a tenant and recover unpaid rent. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Chapter 24, Property Code, is amended by adding 1-6 Section 24.0051 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 24.0051. PROCEDURES APPLICABLE IN SUIT TO EVICT AND 1-8 RECOVER UNPAID RENT. (a) In a suit filed in justice court in 1-9 which the landlord files a sworn statement seeking judgment against 1-10 a tenant for possession of the premises and unpaid rent, personal 1-11 service on the tenant or service on the tenant under Rule 742a, 1-12 Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, is procedurally sufficient to 1-13 support a default judgment for possession of the premises and 1-14 unpaid rent. 1-15 (b) A landlord may recover unpaid rent under this section 1-16 regardless of whether the tenant vacated the premises after the 1-17 date the landlord filed the sworn statement and before the date the 1-18 court renders judgment. 1-19 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 1-20 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-21 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-22 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-23 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-24 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.