SB 16 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)

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.

SB 16 amends Texas law to adjust the statute of limitations for certain felony prosecutions under Article 12.01 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It extends the time limit for filing felony charges in specific cases, including real property theft and fraud offenses, while establishing procedures for restitution and criminal prosecution. The bill directly affects individuals accused of these crimes by modifying when charges can be filed and outlining victim restitution processes. This law, signed by the Governor on September 17, 2025, creates a clearer framework for prosecuting property-related offenses but does not establish new crimes.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Aug 2025
Committee Review
Aug 2025
Senate Passage
Aug 2025
House Passage
Aug 2025
Signed into Law
Sep 2025
Introduced Aug 15, 2025 Signed Sep 17, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 3 edits · Sep 17, 2025
MINOR
This bill was finalized for signature (Enrolled) after passing both legislative chambers. The substantive policy changes include new protections against fraudulent liens filed by inmates against government employees, a requirement for the Secretary of State to terminate such liens if fraud is confirmed, and an updated effective date of January 1, 2026.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include specific procedures for the Secretary of State and Attorney General to investigate and terminate fraudulent liens filed by inmates against Texas Department of Criminal Justice employees.
ENFORCEMENT

New procedures allow government employees to file affidavits to challenge liens filed by inmates, requiring the Secretary of State to investigate and terminate the lien if fraud is confirmed.

REQUIREMENT

The Secretary of State is now required to create a specific form for inmates to use when filing affidavits challenging fraudulent liens.

TIMELINE

The effective date for the changes in law was updated to January 1, 2026.

Floor votes · House Aug 26, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
56
Key actions
15
Committee
9
Amendments
5
Sep 17, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Aug 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
Aug 28, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
Aug 28, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
Aug 27, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
Aug 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
Aug 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
Aug 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
Aug 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
Aug 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Corrected committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Aug 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Aug 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Aug 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Aug 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence
lower
Aug 20, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Aug 20, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Aug 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Committee
Referred to Finance
upper
Aug 15, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
31 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors