HBA-ATS H.B. 2628 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2628
By: Alvarado
Business & Industry
4/7/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Texas law does not require a landlord of residential rental property to
place a written notice inside the dwelling that informs the tenant that a
person has entered the dwelling while the tenant was away.  H.B. 2628
requires a landlord or a landlord's agent who enters a residential dwelling
to place in a conspicuous location inside the dwelling a written notice to
the tenant.  The notice must state the purpose for the entry, the times at
which the person entered and exited the dwelling, the name and telephone
number of the person who unlocked the dwelling for purposes of entry, and,
if known, whether an additional entry is necessary to complete the purpose
of the entry.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, by adding
Section 92.013, as follows: 

Sec. 92.013.  NOTICE OF ENTRY REQUIRED.  Requires a landlord or a
landlord's agent who enters a residential dwelling to place in a
conspicuous location inside the dwelling a written notice to the tenant
stating the purpose for the entry, the times at which the person entered
and exited the dwelling, the name and telephone number of the person who
unlocked the dwelling for purposes of entry, and, if known, whether an
additional entry is necessary to complete the purpose of the entry. 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.