AN ACT

 1-1     relating to the repeal of the in-state need lease restriction on

 1-2     the sale of casinghead gas or natural gas out of the state.

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

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Sections 52.291 through 52.294 and 52.296,

 1-5     Natural Resources Code, are repealed.

 1-6           SECTION 2.  The terms of any oil and gas lease executed

 1-7     before the effective date of this Act that impose the requirements

 1-8     of Sections 52.291 through 52.294 and 52.296, Natural Resources

 1-9     Code, are null and void.

1-10           SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 1997.

1-11           SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the

1-12     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

1-13     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

1-14     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

1-15     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. 1487 passed the Senate on

         April 18, 1997, by a viva-voce vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1487 passed the House on

         April 24, 1997, by a non-record vote.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

         Approved:

         _______________________________

                     Date

         _______________________________

                   Governor