bill letting servicemember dependents break leases early

The text as introduced · 307 words

89R15678 JBD-F

By: Hayes
H.B. No. 4470

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the termination of a lease agreement of a

servicemember's dependent.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 92.017(b), Property Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(b) A tenant who is a servicemember or a dependent of a

servicemember may vacate the dwelling leased by the tenant and

avoid liability for future rent and all other sums due under the

lease for terminating the lease and vacating the dwelling before

the end of the lease term if:

(1) the lease was executed by or on behalf of a person

who, after executing the lease or during the term of the lease,

enters military service; [ or ]

(2) a servicemember, while in military service,

executes the lease and after executing the lease receives military

orders:

(A) for a permanent change of station; or

(B) to deploy with a military unit for a period of

90 days or more ; or

(3) a servicemember or a spouse of the servicemember,

while the servicemember is in military service, guarantees the

lease on behalf of a dependent, and, after guaranteeing the lease,

the servicemember receives military orders:

(A) for a permanent change of station; or

(B) to deploy with a military unit for a period of

90 days or more .

SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only

to a lease entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of

this Act. A lease entered into or renewed before the effective date

of this Act is governed by the law as it existed immediately before

the effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect

for that purpose.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.