Texas 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025) Status: Enacted

SB 16 — Relating to real property theft and real property fraud; establishing recording requirements for certain documents concerning real property; creating the criminal offenses of real property theft and real property fraud and establishing a statute of limitations, restitution, and certain procedures with respect to those offenses.

Last action — See remarks for effective date

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. ✓
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced August 15, 2025. Enacted.

Signed by Governor Greg Abbott (Republican) on September 17, 2025.

Odds of enactment

High chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a high chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 80% · moderate confidence

  • Enacted

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 32 sponsors

    31 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

58 added · 13 removed

58 line(s) added, 13 removed.

→
Previous
Latest
By:AAWest, et al.
S.B.ANo.A16 AN ACT relating to real property theft and real property fraud;
S.B.ANo.A16 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to real property theft and real property fraud;
SECTIONA5.AAThe heading to Section 191.010, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
SECTIONA5.AASection 405.022, Government Code, is amended by adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows:
(e)AAIf a document to create a lien on real property is filed with the secretary of state by an inmate or on behalf of an inmate and a purported debtor or obligor named in the document is an employee or board member of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice who believes the document was fraudulently filed, the purported debtor or obligor may, under penalty of perjury, file an affidavit stating the impermissibility of the document with the secretary of state.
The secretary of state shall make a form affidavit for use when filing an affidavit under this subsection.
On acceptance of an affidavit properly filed under this subsection, the secretary of state shall:
(1)AArequest the assistance of the attorney general to determine whether the document was fraudulently filed;
and (2)AAfile a termination statement with respect to the document identified in the affidavit if the attorney general determines that the document was fraudulently filed.
S.B.ANo.A16 (f)AAFor purposes of a request under Subsection (e), the attorney general may request the filer provide to the attorney general documentation supporting the existence of the lien, including documents described by Subsection (c).
(g)AANotwithstanding Section 9.520, Business & Commerce Code, the secretary of state may refuse to accept for filing a record purporting to create a lien on real property if the attorney general determines under Subsection (a) that the document submitted for filing is fraudulent.
SECTIONA6.AAThe heading to Section 191.010, Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
SECTIONA6.AASection 191.010(b), Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
SECTIONA7.AASection 191.010(b), Local Government Code, is amended to read as follows:
SECTIONA7.AASection 31.01(4), Penal Code, is amended to read as follows:
SECTIONA8.AASection 31.01(4), Penal Code, is amended to read as follows:
SECTIONA8.AAChapter 31, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 31.23 to read as follows:
SECTIONA9.AAChapter 31, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 31.23 to read as follows:
SECTIONA9.AASubchapter D, Chapter 32, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 32.60 to read as follows:
SECTIONA10.AASubchapter D, Chapter 32, Penal Code, is amended by adding Section 32.60 to read as follows:
S.B.ANo.A16 (3)AA"Document" andA"effective consent" have the meanings assigned by Section 32.46.
S.B.ANo.A16 (3)AA"Document" and "effective consent" have the meanings assigned by Section 32.46.
SECTIONA10.AASection 12.001(b), Property Code, is amended to read as follows:
SECTIONA11.AASection 12.001(b), Property Code, is amended to read as follows:
SECTION A11.AAThe changes in law made by this Act apply only S.B.ANo.A16 to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION A12.AAThe changes in law made by this Act apply only S.B.ANo.A16 to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTIONA12.AAThe changes in law made by this Act in amending Article 12.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, do not apply to an offense if the prosecution of that offense becomes barred by limitation before the effective date of this Act.
SECTIONA13.AAThe changes in law made by this Act in amending Article 12.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, do not apply to an offense if the prosecution of that offense becomes barred by limitation before the effective date of this Act.
SECTIONA13.AA(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
SECTIONA14.AA(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
17
S.B.ANo.A16 ______________________________AAAA______________________________ President of the SenateAAAAAAAAAAAAASpeaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B.ANo.A16 passed the Senate on AugustA18,A2025, by the following vote:
YeasA30, NaysA0;
and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on August 27, 2025, by the following vote:
YeasA27, NaysA0.
______________________________ AAAASecretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B.
ANo.A16 passed the House, with amendment, on August 26, 2025, by the following vote:
YeasA138, NaysA0, one present not voting.
______________________________ AAAAChief Clerk of the House Approved:
______________________________ AAAAAAAAAAAAADate ______________________________ AAAAAAAAAAAGovernor 19
⬇ Download PDF
View plain text versions (5)

Action History

  1. See remarks for effective date

  2. Signed by the Governor

  3. Sent to the Governor

  4. Signed in the House

  5. Signed in the Senate

  6. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported

  7. Reported enrolled

  8. Record vote

  9. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)

  10. Read

  11. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate

  12. House passage as amended reported

  13. Reason for vote recorded in Journal

  14. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

  15. Record vote

  16. Passed

  17. Read 3rd time

  18. Additional sponsor(s) authorized

  19. Rules suspended

  20. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal

  21. Record vote

  22. Passed to 3rd reading as amended

  23. Amended

  24. Read 2nd time

  25. Placed on General State Calendar

  26. Considered in Calendars

  27. Corrected committee report sent to Calendars

  28. Corrected comm. report distributed

  29. Corrected com rept filed w/ Comte Coordinator

  30. Committee report sent to Calendars

  31. Committee report distributed

  32. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator

  33. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

  34. Considered in formal meeting

  35. Scheduled for formal meeting on . . .

  36. Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence

  37. Read first time

  38. Received from the Senate

  39. Reported engrossed

  40. Record vote

  41. Passed

  42. Read 3rd time

  43. Record vote

  44. Three day rule suspended

  45. Vote recorded in Journal

  46. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment

  47. Rules suspended-Regular order of business

  48. Co-author authorized

  49. Committee report printed and distributed

  50. Reported favorably w/o amendments

  51. Vote taken in committee

  52. Considered in public hearing

  53. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .

  54. Record vote

  55. Posting rule suspended

  56. Referred to Finance

  57. Read first time

  58. Filed

  59. Received by the Secretary of the Senate

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

31 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 152 not signed on

Sponsors (31)

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (152)

152 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 152 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

passage

Passed 138 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Unaffiliated 1380013
Total 1380013
% of votes cast 91%0%0%9%
How each member voted (151)
Member Party Vote
Present — Not Voting
Mr. Speaker(C) — Not Voting
Garcia — Not Voting
Morales — Not Voting
Rodríguez Ramo — Not Voting
AJ Louderback — Yea
Aicha Davis — Yea
Alan Schoolcraft — Yea
Alma Allen — Yea
Andy Hopper — Yea
Angelia Orr — Yea
Angie Button — Yea
Armando Martinez — Not Voting
Armando Walle — Yea
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins — Yea
Ben Bumgarner — Yea
Brad Buckley — Yea
Brent Money — Yea
Brian Harrison — Yea
Briscoe Cain — Yea
Brooks Landgraf — Yea
Candy Noble — Not Voting
Carl Tepper — Yea
Caroline Fairly — Yea
Carrie Isaac — Yea
Cassandra Garcia Hernandez — Yea
Cecil Bell — Yea
Charles Cunningham — Yea
Charlie Geren — Not Voting
Chris Turner — Yea
Christian Manuel — Yea
Claudia Ordaz — Yea
Cody Harris — Yea
Cody Vasut — Yea
Cole Hefner — Yea
Dade Phelan — Not Voting
Daniel Alders — Yea
David Lowe — Yea
David Spiller — Yea
Denise Villalobos — Yea
Dennis Paul — Yea
Diego Bernal — Yea
Don McLaughlin — Yea
Donna Howard — Yea
Drew Darby — Yea
Eddie Morales — Yea
Ellen Troxclair — Yea
Erin Gámez — Yea
Erin Zwiener — Yea
Garcia Hernandez — Yea
Gary Gates — Yea
Gary VanDeaver — Yea
Gene Wu — Yea
Gina Hinojosa — Yea
Giovanni Capriglione — Yea
Greg Bonnen — Yea
Harold V. Dutton, Jr. — Yea
Harris Davila — Yea
Helen Kerwin — Yea
Hillary Hickland — Yea
Hubert Vo — Not Voting
J. M. Lozano — Yea
James B. Frank — Yea
James Talarico — Yea
Janie Lopez — Yea
Janis Holt — Yea
Jared Patterson — Yea
Jay Dean — Yea
Jeff Barry — Yea
Jeff Leach — Yea
Jessica González — Yea
Joanne Shofner — Yea
Joe Moody — Yea
John Bryant — Yea
John Bucy III — Yea
John Lujan — Yea
John McQueeney — Yea
John Smithee — Yea
Jolanda Jones — Yea
Jon Rosenthal — Yea
Katrina Pierson — Yea
Keith Bell — Yea
Keresa Richardson — Yea
Lacey Hull — Yea
Lauren A. Simmons — Yea
Leo Wilson — Yea
Linda Garcia — Yea
Liz Campos — Not Voting
Mano DeAyala — Yea
Marc LaHood — Yea
Mark Dorazio — Yea
Mary Ann Perez — Yea
Mary E. González — Yea
Matt Morgan — Yea
Matt Shaheen — Yea
Mihaela Plesa — Yea
Mike Olcott — Yea
Mike Schofield — Yea
Mitch Little — Yea
Molly Cook — Yea
Morales Shaw — Not Voting
Morgan Meyer — Yea
Nate Schatzline — Yea
Nathan Johnson — Yea
Nicole Collier — Yea
Oscar Longoria — Yea
Pat Curry — Yea
Paul Dyson — Yea
Pete Flores — Yea
Phil King — Yea
Philip Cortez — Yea
R. D. "Bobby" Guerra — Yea
Rafael Anchía — Yea
Ramon Romero, Jr. — Yea
Ray Lopez — Yea
Rhetta Bowers — Yea
Richard Hayes — Yea
Richard Peña Raymond — Yea
Ron Reynolds — Not Voting
Ryan Guillen — Yea
Salman Bhojani — Yea
Sam Harless — Yea
Senfronia Thompson — Yea
Sergio Muñoz, Jr. — Yea
Shelby Slawson — Yea
Shelley Luther — Yea
Sheryl Cole — Yea
Stan Gerdes — Yea
Stan Kitzman — Yea
Stan Lambert — Yea
Steve Toth — Yea
Suleman Lalani — Yea
Terri Leo Wilson — Yea
Terry Canales — Yea
Thresa "Terry" Meza — Yea
Todd Hunter — Yea
Tom Craddick — Yea
Tom Oliverson — Yea
Toni Rose — Yea
Tony Tinderholt — Yea
Trent Ashby — Yea
Trey Martinez Fischer — Yea
Trey Wharton — Yea
Valoree Swanson — Yea
Venton Jones — Yea
Vikki Goodwin — Yea
Vincent Perez — Yea
Ward Johnson — Yea
Wes Virdell — Yea
Will Metcalf — Yea
Yvonne Davis — Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety housing
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 16?
SB 16 is sponsored by Mano DeAyala, Briscoe Cain, Trent Ashby, Rafael Anchía, Paul Dyson, Lois Kolkhorst, Kevin Sparks, Charles Schwertner, Charles Perry, Angela Paxton, Tan Parker, Robert Nichols, Borris Miles, Mayes Middleton, José Menéndez, Bryan Hughes, Joan Huffman, Adam Hinojosa, Bob Hall, Brent Hagenbuch, Roland Gutierrez, Sarah Eckhardt, Donna Campbell, Pete Flores, Juan Hinojosa, Nathan Johnson, Phil King, César Blanco, Paul Bettencourt, Carol Alvarado, Royce West, and Brandon Creighton.
What is the current status of SB 16?
This bill has been enacted into law. Introduced August 15, 2025. Enacted.
Where can I track SB 16?
Track SB 16 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

Make your voice heard on SB 16

Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.

Find my representatives → Run a campaign

Stay ahead of SB 16

Last checked for changes about 2 months ago · updated continuously

One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.

Track this bill →