By Grusendorf                                          H.B. No. 984
         77R1687 ATP-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the exemption of tax-exempt property of religious
 1-3     organizations from municipal platting requirements.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 212, Local Government Code,
 1-6     is amended by adding Section 212.0047 to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 212.0047.  EXCEPTION TO PLAT REQUIREMENT: TAX-EXEMPT
 1-8     RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION PROPERTY. (a)  An owner of an unplatted
 1-9     tract of land that is exempt from ad valorem taxation under Section
1-10     11.20, Tax Code, is not required to prepare a plat to obtain a
1-11     building  permit or any other permit for developing the tract.
1-12           (b)  If the property loses its exemption from taxation under
1-13     Section 11.20, Tax Code, the owner of the property must comply with
1-14     all applicable platting requirements.
1-15           SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 212, Local Government Code,
1-16     is amended by adding Section 212.0415 to read as follows:
1-17           Sec. 212.0415.  APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER TO TAX-EXEMPT
1-18     RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION PROPERTY. This subchapter does not apply to
1-19     an unplatted tract of land that is exempt from ad valorem taxation
1-20     under Section 11.20, Tax Code.  If the property loses its exemption
1-21     from taxation under Section 11.20, Tax Code, this subchapter begins
1-22     to apply to the property on the day after the date on which the
1-23     exemption is lost.
1-24           SECTION 3. Section 12.002, Property Code, is amended by
 2-1     adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
 2-2           (h)  Notwithstanding this section, a person may file for
 2-3     record or have recorded in the county clerk's office a plat if the
 2-4     plat is exempted from approval under Section 212.0047, Local
 2-5     Government Code.  An unapproved plat must be stamped "unapproved
 2-6     plat" by the county clerk or a deputy of the clerk before it may be
 2-7     filed, and the clerk or deputy shall note on the plat that the
 2-8     property was exempt under Section 212.0047, Local Government Code.
 2-9           SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
2-10     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
2-11     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
2-12     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
2-13     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.