Amend CSHB 3945 (house committee printing) as follows:                       

(1)  On page 1, line 6, strike "Subdivision (5-a)" and 	substitute "Subdivision (7)".
	(2)  On page 1, strike lines 8 and 9.                                          
	(3)  On page 1, between lines 13 and 14, insert the 
following:               
		(7)  "Authorized title insurance agent," with respect 
to an Affidavit as Release of Lien under this section, means a 
person licensed as a title insurance agent under Chapter 2651, 
Insurance Code, and authorized in writing by a title insurance 
company by instrument recorded in the real property records in the 
county in which the property to which the affidavit relates is 
located to execute one or more Affidavits as Release of Lien in 
compliance with this section, subject to any terms, limitations, 
and conditions that are set forth in the instrument executed by the 
title insurance company.
	(4)  On page 2, line 5, strike "or a title insurance agent" 
and substitute "or an authorized title insurance agent".
	(5)  On page 2, line 19, strike "title insurance agent" and 
substitute "authorized title insurance agent".
	(6)  On page 5, lines 5 and 6, 10, 13, and 16 and 17, strike 
"title insurance agent" and substitute "authorized title insurance 
agent".
	(7)   On page 5, line 7, strike "company or agent" and 
substitute "title insurance company or authorized title insurance 
agent".
	(8)  Strike page 6, lines 9 through 18, and substitute the 
following:        
	(i)  A person who knowingly causes an affidavit with false 
information to be executed and recorded under this section is 
liable for the penalties for filing a false affidavit, including 
the penalties for commission of offenses under Section 37.02 of the 
Penal Code[, and to a party injured by the affidavit for actual 
damages or $5,000, whichever is greater].  The attorney general may 
sue to collect the penalty.  A person who negligently causes an 
affidavit with false information to be executed and recorded under 
this section is liable to a party injured by the affidavit for 
actual damages.  If the attorney general or an injured party 
bringing suit substantially prevails in an action under this 
subsection, the court may award reasonable attorney's fees and 
court costs to the prevailing party.
	(9)  On page 6, line 19, strike "title insurance agent" and 
substitute "authorized title insurance agent".