Committee advances House Bill 321 to let owners seek sheriff removal of unauthorized occupants under specified conditions

The Senate Judiciary & Rules Committee voted to send House Bill 321 to the floor with a due pass recommendation after brief debate about the bill’s scope and purpose.

Senator Keiser, presenting the bill, said House Bill 321 — commonly described in committee as a “squatters” bill — would allow the lawful owner of residential real property to ask the county sheriff to remove an unauthorized occupier if eight statutory conditions are met. Keiser said the bill limits its scope to residential property and provides an example complaint form the owner would submit to the sheriff. The sheriff must verify that the complainant is the record owner before removal, Keiser said, and the removed person would retain the right to pursue a civil action if they were wrongfully removed.

The bill also adds two penalty provisions: knowingly presenting false documentation to remain on a property would be a misdemeanor; knowingly listing a property for sale or rent while having no authority to do so could be a felony, Keiser said.

Senator Wintrow asked for background and examples of how the process would be used; Keiser described instances in which absentee owners discovered unauthorized occupants and, after law enforcement responded, the occupant refused to leave.

No members of the public signed up to testify. Senator Recti moved the bill to the floor with a due pass recommendation and Senator Shippey seconded. The motion carried on a voice vote; no recorded opposition was indicated in committee minutes.

House Bill 321 will now go to the Senate floor for further consideration. The committee record notes the bill’s limited scope to residential real property, the sheriff-verification step, and the civil remedies available to anyone alleging wrongful removal.