85R10795 AJA-D
 
  By: Goldman H.B. No. 3879
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to nonlawyer representation in an appeal of an eviction
  suit.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 24.011, Property Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 24.011.  NONLAWYER REPRESENTATION. (a) In eviction
  suits in justice court for nonpayment of rent or holding over beyond
  a rental term, the parties may represent themselves or be
  represented by their authorized agents, who need not be attorneys.
  In any eviction suit in justice court, an authorized agent
  requesting or obtaining a default judgment need not be an attorney.
         (b)  In an appeal of an eviction suit for nonpayment of rent
  in a county or district court, an owner of a multifamily residential
  property may be represented by the owner's authorized agent, who
  need not be an attorney, or, if the owner is a corporation or other
  entity, by an employee, owner, officer, or partner of the entity,
  who need not be an attorney.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to an appeal taken on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.