The "Rocket Docket" Era: Understanding the 2026 Shift in Texas Eviction Law

Speed is an underrated form of risk management in real estate. In 2026, Texas quietly reinforced its reputation as one of the most predictable legal environments for property owners, introducing procedural changes that materially shorten eviction timelines and reduce delay tactics. Senate Bill 38 does not reinvent the eviction process, but it removes much of the friction that investors have historically had to price in. This article walks through how the new “Rocket Docket” framework works in practice, why it matters for cash flow modeling, and how Texas now contrasts sharply with tenant-friendly jurisdictions like New York and Washington. For Dallas–Fort Worth investors, the result is not just faster resolutions, but a clearer understanding of worst-case downside when things go wrong.