HBA-EVB S.B. 166 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 166
By: Carona
Business & Industry
4/10/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Property Code requires a landlord to re-key the lock of a
dwelling before a new tenant moves in, based on a definition of "tenant
turnover date" that specifically mentions tenants. However, a homeowner who
vacates a home and places the home for lease or rent is not required to
re-key the dwelling for a new tenant. As a result, many homeowners do not
re-key the lock, although the law requires other landlords to do so. 

S.B. 166 redefines the definition of "tenant turnover date" to require a
landlord to re-key the lock of a dwelling after all occupants, rather than
tenants, have moved out. 

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 Subdivision (15), Section 92.151, Property Code, to
redefine "tenant turnover date" as the date a tenant, rather than a new
tenant, moves into a dwelling under a lease after all previous occupants,
rather than tenants, have moved out. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.