HB 4063 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the filing and release of record of a unilateral memorandum of contract concerning residential property.

HB 4063 requires anyone filing a "unilateral memorandum of contract" (a document signed only by a non-owner claiming rights to buy or lease residential property) to provide their address, a certificate of mailing, and send a copy via certified mail to the property owner at both the property address and any address listed in property records. Property owners who receive such a notice can file an affidavit denying the claim with the county clerk and must then notify the filer via certified mail. The bill establishes clear procedures for filing, notifying owners, and owners' responses to prevent disputes over property rights. It became effective September 1, 2025.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

May 2025

Senate Passage

May 2025

Signed into Law

Jun 2025

Introduced Mar 27, 2025 Signed Jun 20, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Enrolled · 5 edits · Jun 20, 2025

MODERATE

This bill adds a new section to the Texas Property Code governing unilateral memorandums of contract for residential property. It establishes specific requirements for filing, notifying property owners, and releasing these records, including standardized affidavit and mailing certificate forms. The changes create a clear legal framework for recording these documents while protecting bona fide purchasers and lenders from claims based on improperly filed memorandums.

Scope change

The bill expands the legal framework for unilateral memorandums of contract by adding new statutory requirements for filing, notification, and release procedures that were not previously codified in this manner.

REQUIREMENT

Added new Section 12.020 to the Property Code establishing procedures for filing and releasing unilateral memorandums of contract concerning residential property.

Requires persons filing unilateral memorandums to provide mailing addresses and certificates of mailing to county clerks, and to notify property owners via registered or certified mail.

Establishes standardized forms for affidavits of release and certificates of mailing that must be used when filing or releasing these documents.

ENFORCEMENT

Creates protections for bona fide purchasers and lenders, stating that memorandums do not constitute notice or create duties of inquiry after proper release procedures are followed.

TIMELINE

Sets September 1, 2025 as the effective date for the new requirements and as the date after which non-compliant memorandums lose enforceability against purchasers and lenders.

Floor votes · House May 6, 2025

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 20, 2025

Signed into law

Signed by the Governor

executive

May 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Signed in the Senate

upper

May 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Signed in the House

lower

May 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

Senate passage reported

lower

May 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed

upper

May 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Committee report printed and distributed

upper

May 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendments

upper

May 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Vote taken in committee

upper

May 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

May 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

May 7, 2025

Committee

Referred to Business & Commerce

upper

May 7, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

May 6, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

May 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

May 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment

lower

Apr 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

Apr 25, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Apr 15, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably as substituted

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors