By Isett                                              H.B. No. 3442
         76R9308 JRD-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the identification and preservation of abandoned
 1-3     cemeteries.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Chapter 442, Government Code, is amended by
 1-6     adding Section 442.017 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 442.017.  IDENTIFICATION AND PRESERVATION OF ABANDONED
 1-8     CEMETERIES.  (a)  The commission shall establish a program to
 1-9     identify and preserve abandoned cemeteries across the state.
1-10           (b)  The commission is encouraged to use volunteers to the
1-11     maximum extent possible to implement the program and to model the
1-12     program to the extent appropriate on the "adopt a beach" program
1-13     conducted by the General Land Office.
1-14           (c)  The legislature may appropriate money to the commission
1-15     to implement the program.
1-16           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
1-17     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-18     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-19     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-20     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
1-21     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
1-22     passage, and it is so enacted.