Bill: HB 3115, 87(R) - 2021

Committee

House Business & Industry

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

Hugh Shine

Bill Caption

Relating to the release of a judgment lien on homestead property.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.


Bill Analysis

HB 3115 would revise the timeframe for a judgement debtor to send notice to a judgement creditor of an affidavit attesting that a property is their homestead in order to have a lien removed. As long as the statutory procedures are followed,  a bona fide purchaser or a mortgagee for value may conclusively rely on the affidavit for a 90 day period.

Under current law it is difficult for a judgement debtor to remove a judgement lien on their property, even if the property is a homestead and therefore can't be foreclosed on by a debt collector. This in turn makes it harder to sell a homestead property because of the difficulty in removing the lien. By granting the judgement debtor's affidavit and certificate of mailing a 90 day grace period where they are considered conclusive, a judgement debtor can sell the property during those 90 days regardless of a lien.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action is neutral on HB 3115.

Source URL (retrieved on 08/18/2025 04:08 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/87r/hb3115?print_view=true