AN ACT

 1-1     relating to the joint listing on an ad valorem tax appraisal roll

 1-2     of separate interests in minerals in place.

 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Subsection (b), Section 25.12, Tax Code, is

 1-5     amended to read as follows:

 1-6           (b)  Separate interests in minerals in place, other than

 1-7     interests having a taxable value of less than $500, shall be listed

 1-8     jointly in the name of the operator designated with the railroad

 1-9     commission or the name of all owners or any combination of owners

1-10     if the designated operator files with the appraisal office before

1-11     May 1 a written request for joint taxation on a form furnished for

1-12     that purpose.  A qualification pursuant to this subsection for

1-13     joint taxation remains effective in subsequent tax years and need

1-14     not be requested again.  However, the qualification ceases when the

1-15     designated operator files a request to cancel joint taxation.

1-16           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 1998.

1-17           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-18     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

1-19     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

1-20     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

1-21     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 485 passed the Senate on

         April 3, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 485 passed the House on

         May 28, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

         Approved:

         _______________________________

                     Date

         _______________________________

                   Governor