AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the bipartisan passage of Senate Bill 38, Stopping Squatters, on second reading (final passage on third reading later today), by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston:

“In the past few years, I have heard horror story after horror story from property owners across the state who have encountered squatters living in their property. During the Senate Committee on Local Government’s interim hearing, property owners testified that they were unable to find relief from law enforcement and the courts, in some cases for over a year, and at great cost. This is unimaginable and unacceptable in Texas. The Senate and I are prioritizing SB 38 to end squatting in Texas once and for all. Property owners must have swift recourse to reclaim property that is rightfully theirs. I thank Sen. Bettencourt for his leadership in protecting Texans’ property rights.”

Senate Bill 38, by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, creates a fair, efficient, and predictable civil eviction process to remove unlawful occupants, including squatters, so courts can swiftly return possession to the rightful owner.