By Armbrister S.J.R. No. 19 74R1712 PAM-D A JOINT RESOLUTION 1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment creating a panel with 1-2 authority to approve the release of the state's interest in land 1-3 that is held by a person in good faith under color of title. 1-4 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Article VII of the Texas Constitution is amended 1-6 by adding Section 2B to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 2B. (a) A three-member panel consisting of the 1-8 attorney general, the comptroller of public accounts, and the 1-9 commissioner of the General Land Office is created to consider the 1-10 state's interest in land, including mineral rights, that is subject 1-11 to a title defect that occurred before July 4, 1845. 1-12 (b) The panel may release the state's interest in land if: 1-13 (1) the panel finds that: 1-14 (A) the land is subject to a title defect that 1-15 occurred before July 4, 1845; and 1-16 (B) the person claiming title: 1-17 (i) acquired the land without knowledge of 1-18 the title defect and holds the land under color of title; 1-19 (ii) has a deed to the land recorded in 1-20 the appropriate county; and 1-21 (iii) has paid all taxes due on the land 1-22 and any interest and penalties associated with any period of tax 1-23 delinquency; and 1-24 (2) the panel unanimously approves the release. 2-1 (c) If the panel approves the release of the state's 2-2 interest in land, the panel shall execute a document in a form that 2-3 would permit it to be filed of record releasing the state's 2-4 interest. 2-5 (d) Title to the state's interest in land vests in the 2-6 person claiming title when the state executes the release document 2-7 required by Subsection (c). 2-8 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 2-9 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 1995. 2-10 The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against 2-11 the proposition: "The constitutional amendment creating a panel 2-12 with authority to settle land title disputes between the state and 2-13 a private party."