85R10795 AJA-D     By: Goldman H.B. No. 3879       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to nonlawyer representation in an appeal of an eviction   suit.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 24.011, Property Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 24.011.  NONLAWYER REPRESENTATION. (a) In eviction   suits in justice court for nonpayment of rent or holding over beyond   a rental term, the parties may represent themselves or be   represented by their authorized agents, who need not be attorneys.   In any eviction suit in justice court, an authorized agent   requesting or obtaining a default judgment need not be an attorney.          (b)  In an appeal of an eviction suit for nonpayment of rent   in a county or district court, an owner of a multifamily residential   property may be represented by the owner's authorized agent, who   need not be an attorney, or, if the owner is a corporation or other   entity, by an employee, owner, officer, or partner of the entity,   who need not be an attorney.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to an appeal taken on or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.