Amendment H-8200 to HF 2629
Relating to trespass, and providing penalties
Adopted · March 12, 2026Strike everything: replaces the whole bill
Filed March 11, 2026 in the House by
What it changes
- By striking everything after the enacting clause and inserting: “Section
- Section 716.7, subsection 1, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new paragraphs: NEW PARAGRAPH . 0a. “Immediate family member” means a person’s spouse, children, parents or guardians, siblings, and grandparents, whether related by blood, adoption, or marriage. NEW PARAGRAPH . 00a. “Lawful authority” means the ability of a person to produce a deed or mortgage statement in the person’s name, a lease agreement that includes the name and signature of the property owner or an authorized representative of the property owner, a valid written or electronic agreement or communication authorizing the person to enter upon the property, or a receipt or other reliable evidence of a rent payment made to the property owner or an authorized representative of the property owner dated within the last sixty days. NEW PARAGRAPH . g. “Squatting” means a person knowingly taking up residence at a property not open to the public. Sec.
- Section 716.7, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subparagraph: NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (2A) Squatting, if all of the following are true: (a) The person is not a current tenant at the property. (b) The person does not have a valid agreement to occupy the property. (c) The person is not an immediate family member of the owner of the property. (d) The person acts without lawful authority in entering and residing on the property. Sec.
- Section 716.8, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection: NEW SUBSECTION .
- a. A person committing a trespass as provided in section 716.7, subsection 2, paragraph “a” , subparagraph (2A), commits the following: (1) For a first offense, a serious misdemeanor. (2) For a second offense, an aggravated misdemeanor. (3) For a third or subsequent offense, a class “D” felony. b. A person providing a false document in response to a request to produce a document proving lawful authority is, in addition to any other criminal offense, guilty of a fraudulent practice under section 714.8.”
- Title page, by striking lines 1 and 2 and inserting “An Act relating to trespass, and providing penalties.”