BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.H.B. 3879
85R31877 AJA-D	By: Goldman (Hancock)
	Business & Commerce
	5/19/2017
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Interested parties believe that certain residential property owners should be able to have a person other than the owner who is not an attorney represent the owner in an appeal of an eviction suit for nonpayment of rent in a county or district court. H.B. 3879 authorizes such representation. (Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent) 

H.B. 3879 amends current law relating to nonlawyer representation in an appeal of an eviction suit.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 24.011, Property Code, as follows:

Sec. 24.011. NONLAWYER REPRESENTATION. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. Makes no further changes to this subsection.

(b) Authorizes the parties to represent themselves, in an appeal of an eviction suit for nonpayment of rent in a county or district court, or authorizes a party to be represented by the party's authorized agent, including, if the party is a corporation or other entity, by an employee, owner, officer, or partner of the entity, who need not be an attorney.

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2017.