HB 2748

relating to a pilot program to disburse payments to residential
landlords when tenants terminate leases following family violence,
certain sex offenses, or stalking.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is
amended by adding Section 92.0165 to read as follows:
Sec. 92.0165.  PILOT PROGRAM TO DISBURSE PAYMENTS TO CERTAIN
LANDLORDS.  (a)  In this section:
(1)  "Department" means the Texas Department of Housing
(2)  "Pilot program" means the pilot program
(b)  The department by rule shall establish and implement a
pilot program to disburse a payment to a landlord in an amount equal
to one month's rent under a terminated lease if the tenant
terminates the lease and vacates the dwelling before the end of the
lease term under Section 92.016 or 92.0161.
(c)  The department shall adopt rules to govern the
implementation and administration of the pilot program. Rules
adopted under this subsection must provide that payments disbursed
under the pilot program accomplish the public purpose of ensuring
the safety and protection of victims of conduct described by
Section 71.004, Family Code, or Sections 92.0161(c) and (c-1) of
this code and that the state receives a return benefit.
(d)  The department may contract with a third party for the
development of online services necessary to implement the pilot
(e)  A landlord may apply to participate in the pilot program
in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the department.
(f)  In addition to money appropriated by the legislature,
the department may accept gifts, grants, or donations from any
source to administer and finance the pilot program.
(g)  Not later than January 1, 2029, the department shall
prepare and submit to the legislature a report documenting the
outcomes of the pilot program.  The report:
(A)  the number of landlords who participated in
(B)  the total amount disbursed under the pilot
program, disaggregated by individual disbursements; and
(C)  the geographic location, including
identifiable geographic trends, of eligible landlords that
(2)  may not contain any personally identifying
information of a tenant that terminates a lease and vacates a
dwelling before the end of the lease term under Section 92.016 or
(h)  Notwithstanding Section 92.0161(j), a landlord may
disclose information received under Section 92.0161(c), (c-1), or
(d) to the department to the extent prescribed by department rule
for purposes of the pilot program.  Information provided to the
department under this section that identifies or tends to identify
a vacating tenant or crime victim described by Section 92.016 or
92.0161 is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter
(i)  The pilot program concludes and this section expires
SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs shall adopt rules
necessary to administer the pilot program established under Section
92.0165, Property Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.