TITLE: Relating to the eviction hearings and appeals.

SUMMARY: Relating to the eviction hearings and appeals.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the eviction hearings and appeals. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 24, Property Code, is amended by adding Section 24.00l(c) to read as follows: Sec. 24.00l(c)-In a case claiming forcible entry and detainer, the Justice Court shall set a hearing no later than ten days after the date the petition is filed and no sooner than three days after the citation is served. If a Justice Court fails to timely set a hearing in accordance with this Section 24.0ll(d), the Justice of the Peace of such Justice Court shall be subject to mandamus. SECTION 2: Chapter 24, Property Code, is amended by adding Section 24.0071 to read as follows: Sec. 24.0071-A county court shall schedule the trial date on an appeal from a Justice Court pursuant to Section 24.001 of Chapter 24 of the Texas Property Code no later than 21 days after the appeal is filed in the Justice Court. SECTION 3: The changes in law made by this Act apply only to an eviction suit in which the petition is filed on or after the effective date of this Act. An eviction suit in which the petition is filed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 4: This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.