BWH H.B. 1860 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS COUNTY AFFAIRS H.B. 1860 By: Hirschi 3-21-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Presently in Texas, cremation of a pauper is prohibited if a relative or friend expresses objection to this procedure. However, if the person objecting to the cremation does not take on the financial responsibility for the ground burial, the county must pay for the burial. Burials are more expensive than cremation. PURPOSE HB 1860 will allow a county to cremate the deceased pauper, which is less expensive than a ground burial. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 694.002, Health and Safety Code, to authorize the commissioners court of each county to provide for the disposition of the body of a deceased pauper. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect on September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency Clause.