AN ACT
 1-1     relating to the maximum number and amount of certain veteran's
 1-2     loans.
 1-3           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 161.236, Natural Resources Code, is
 1-5     amended to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 161.236.  NUMBER OF TRACTS PURCHASED.  The board may
 1-7     promulgate rules to determine the number of tracts of land that a
 1-8     [No] veteran may purchase [more than one tract of land] under this
 1-9     chapter.
1-10           SECTION 2.  Section 162.011, Natural Resources Code, is
1-11     amended by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (f) to
1-12     read as follows:
1-13           (c)  The final principal payment on any loan under this
1-14     chapter shall be made not later than 40 years after the date of the
1-15     loan.  The board shall determine the maximum principal amount of
1-16     loans to any veteran that may be outstanding at any time, except
1-17     that amounts allocable to a home mortgage loan may not exceed the
1-18     maximum amount allowable for a similar home mortgage loan through
1-19     the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or any successor
1-20     agency [a loan under this chapter to a veteran to finance the
1-21     acquisition of a home may not exceed $45,000].
1-22           (f)  The board may by rule determine, from time to time, the
1-23     number of loans that a veteran may receive under this chapter.
1-24           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-1     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-2     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 2-3     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-4     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
 2-5     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
 2-6     passage, and it is so enacted.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1509 passed the Senate on
         April 15, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that
         the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 5, 1999, by the
         following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 0, one present not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
               I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1509 passed the House, with
         amendment, on April 27, 1999, by the following vote:  Yeas 144,
         Nays 0, one present not voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
         Approved:
         _______________________________
                     Date
         _______________________________
                   Governor