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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to nonlawyer representation in an appeal of an eviction |
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suit. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 24.011, Property Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 24.011. NONLAWYER REPRESENTATION. (a) In eviction |
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suits in justice court for nonpayment of rent or holding over beyond |
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a rental term, the parties may represent themselves or be |
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represented by their authorized agents, who need not be attorneys. |
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In any eviction suit in justice court, an authorized agent |
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requesting or obtaining a default judgment need not be an attorney. |
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(b) In an appeal of an eviction suit for nonpayment of rent |
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in a county or district court, an owner of a multifamily residential |
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property may be represented by the owner's authorized agent, who |
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need not be an attorney, or, if the owner is a corporation or other |
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entity, by an employee, owner, officer, or partner of the entity, |
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who need not be an attorney. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to an appeal taken on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |