Protection of property rights.
Summary
Defines "squatter" as an individual who occupies the property of another and who does not have and has never had: (1) a rental agreement; (2) permission of the owner; or (3) another legal interest in the property. Permits a property owner to execute an affidavit stating that a squatter is occupying the person's property, and requires a law enforcement agency to dispatch one or more law enforcement officers to remove the squatter within 48 hours (or a later period if necessary for reasons of public safety). Provides that a property owner can execute an affidavit at the time a law enforcement officer responds to a complaint that a squatter is occupying the owner's property. Requires a dispatched law enforcement officer to remove the squatter from the property unless the law enforcement officer discovers credible evidence that the person is not a squatter. Provides that a law enforcement agency may create a form affidavit. Provides certain immunities to a law enforcement agency and a law enforcement officer. Establishes a cause of action for wrongful removal from property.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Jan 8, 2025
Signed May 6, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons
What changed between versions
Enrolled Senate Bill (S)
→
Senate Bill (S)
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill transforms a Senate Enrolled Act into a formal Senate Bill, adding official legislative history and committee action details while removing the enrolled act's header information. The substantive policy content regarding squatter removal procedures remains unchanged.
TECHNICAL
Added committee referral and amendment history showing the bill was read, referred to Judiciary Committee, amended, and reported favorably on January 23, 2025.
Added bill tracking numbers (SB 157 - LS 6579/DI 151) and page numbering consistent with standard Senate Bill formatting.
Removed enrolled act header information including 'SENATE ENROLLED ACT No. 157' and the 'SEA 157' page markers.
Changed document title from 'SENATE ENROLLED ACT' to 'SENATE BILL' to reflect the bill's current legislative status before final passage.
Floor votes · Senate Feb 3, 2025 · House Mar 31, 2025
How they voted
48–1
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 50
Feb 3, 2025
D
Democratic10
80% Yea
R
Republican40
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
42
Key actions
11
Committee
4
Amendments
3
May 6, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
Apr 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 547: yeas 84, nays 6
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 505: yeas 50, nays 0
upper
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President Pro Tempore
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Introduced
Senate dissented from House amendments
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 330: yeas 74, nays 18
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Third reading: passed; Roll Call 52: yeas 48, nays 1
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amendment #3 (Freeman) prevailed; voice vote
upper
Jan 30, 2025
Amended
Amendment #2 (Pol) failed; Roll Call 41: yeas 8, nays 40
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report: amend do pass, adopted
upper
4 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Joanna King
RRepublican
P
Mike Gaskill
RRepublican
P
Mike Young
RRepublican
P
Scott Baldwin
RRepublican
Co
Aaron Freeman
RRepublican
Co
Blake Doriot
RRepublican
Co
David Abbott
RRepublican
Co
David Niezgodski
DDemocratic
Co
Gary Byrne
RRepublican
Co
Linda Rogers
RRepublican
Co
Lonnie Randolph
DDemocratic
Co
Michelle Davis
RRepublican
Co
Tim O'Brien
RRepublican
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