Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 1402 amends the Natural Resources Code to authorize the School Land Board to approve a tract of land for patenting to release all or part of the state's interest in the land, excluding mineral rights, to the person claiming title to the land if the person (1) holds the land under color of title; (2) holds title under a chain of title that began on or before January 1, 1952; (3) acquired the land not knowing that the title was vested in the state; (4) has a properly recorded deed to the land; and (5) has paid all taxes assessed on the land and is not delinquent on any property tax. The bill also sets out the procedure for applying for a patent for interest in land released by the state.

            The bill takes effect on the date the constitutional amendment proposed by House Joint Resolution 53 is approved by the voters.