SB 647 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the filing or recording of documents or instruments conveying or purporting to convey an interest in real or personal property.

SB 647 requires county clerks and other filing officers to send written notices to affected parties if they reasonably suspect a document about property ownership or claims (like fake court judgments or unauthorized liens) is fraudulent. It specifies that notices must go to the person named as the grantor/debtor, anyone claiming an interest in the property, and the last known property owner if different. The bill creates a presumption of fraud for documents from unrecognized courts or those not authorized by Texas or federal law. This law, effective September 1, 2025, directly affects property owners and individuals involved in real or personal property transactions by adding a verification step for questionable filings.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Dec 18, 2024 Signed Jun 20, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 5 edits · Jun 20, 2025
MODERATE
This bill amends Texas law regarding fraudulent lien filings by clarifying when documents are presumed fraudulent, adding protections for clerks who act in good faith, and updating the immunity provisions for title companies. The changes expand the circumstances under which documents are presumed fraudulent while also providing clearer guidance on when they are presumed not fraudulent. The bill also adds a new subsection protecting county clerks from liability when they file or refuse to file documents based on good faith determinations.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on fraudulent document filings but expands the specific circumstances considered fraudulent and adds new protections for officials handling these filings.
REQUIREMENT

Added new presumption that documents are not fraudulent if the filer provides supporting documentation with the property owner's signature or if the filer is a licensed professional in real property transactions.

Modified the fraudulent presumption criteria to include documents filed by inmates or on their behalf as an additional fraudulent indicator.

ENFORCEMENT

Added immunity protection for county clerks who file or refuse to file documents in good faith, preventing disciplinary action against them.

DEFINITION

Added new subsection (d-1) establishing immunity for clerks and (d-2) clarifying that supporting documentation is confidential and can be submitted without civil process.

TIMELINE

Added effective date of September 1, 2025, and retroactivity provisions for documents filed before that date.

Floor votes · Senate May 26, 2025 · House May 21, 2025

How they voted

281
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
May 26, 2025
D Democratic10
9 Yea 1
90% Yea
R Republican20
19 Yea 1 Nay
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
58
Key actions
16
Committee
12
Amendments
4
Jun 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 26, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 26, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 26, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 26, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (28-1-1)
senate
May 22, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
May 8, 2025
Committee
Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent
lower
May 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Vote reconsidered in committee
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 1, 2025
Committee
Referred to Trade, Workforce & Economic Development
lower
May 1, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Business & Commerce
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
5 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors