S.B. No. 630
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain obligations of and limitations on residential
  landlords.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 92, Property Code, is
  amended by adding Section 92.024 to read as follows:
         Sec. 92.024.  LANDLORD'S DUTY TO PROVIDE COPY OF LEASE.
  (a)  Not later than the third business day after the date the lease
  is signed by each party to the lease, a landlord shall provide at
  least one complete copy of the lease to at least one tenant who is a
  party to the lease.
         (b)  If more than one tenant is a party to the lease, not
  later than the third business day after the date a landlord receives
  a written request for a copy of a lease from a tenant who has not
  received a copy of the lease under Subsection (a), the landlord
  shall provide one complete copy of the lease to the requesting
  tenant.
         (c)  A landlord's failure to provide a complete copy of the
  lease as described by Subsection (a) or (b) does not invalidate the
  lease or, subject to Subsection (d), prevent the landlord from
  prosecuting or defending a legal action or proceeding to enforce
  the lease.
         (d)  A landlord may not continue to prosecute and a court
  shall abate an action to enforce the lease, other than an action for
  nonpayment of rent, only until the landlord provides to a tenant a
  complete copy of the lease if the tenant submits to the court
  evidence in a plea in abatement or otherwise that the landlord
  failed to comply with Subsection (a) or (b).
         (e)  A landlord may comply with this section by providing to
  a tenant a complete copy of the lease:
               (1)  in a paper format;
               (2)  in an electronic format if requested by the
  tenant; or
               (3)  by e-mail if the parties have communicated by
  e-mail regarding the lease.
         SECTION 2.  Subsection (a), Section 92.331, Property Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant by taking
  an action described by Subsection (b) because the tenant:
               (1)  in good faith exercises or attempts to exercise
  against a landlord a right or remedy granted to the tenant by lease,
  municipal ordinance, or federal or state statute;
               (2)  gives a landlord a notice to repair or exercise a
  remedy under this chapter; [or]
               (3)  complains to a governmental entity responsible for
  enforcing building or housing codes, a public utility, or a civic or
  nonprofit agency, and the tenant:
                     (A)  claims a building or housing code violation
  or utility problem; and
                     (B)  believes in good faith that the complaint is
  valid and that the violation or problem occurred; or
               (4)  establishes, attempts to establish, or
  participates in a tenant organization.
         SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by Section 92.024,
  Property Code, as added by this Act, apply only to a lease the
  effective date of which is on or after the effective date of this
  Act. A lease the effective date of which is 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 4.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2014.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 630 passed the Senate on
  April 8, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 630 passed the House on
  May 14, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 142, Nays 1, two
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor