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Amend HB 1278 as follows:                                                    
	(1)  On page 1, between lines 5 and 6, insert the following 
SECTIONS and renumber existing SECTIONS 1 and 2 of the bill as 
SECTIONS 4 and 5:
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 212, Local Government Code, 
is amended by adding Section 212.0047 to read as follows:
	Sec. 212.0047.  EXCEPTION TO PLAT REQUIREMENT: TAX-EXEMPT 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION PROPERTY. (a)  An owner of an unplatted 
tract of land that is exempt from ad valorem taxation under Section 
11.20, Tax Code, is not required to prepare a plat to obtain a 
building  permit or any other permit for developing the tract.
	(b)  If the property loses its exemption from taxation under 
Section 11.20, Tax Code, the owner of the property must comply with 
all applicable platting requirements.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 212, Local Government Code, 
is amended by adding Section 212.0415 to read as follows:
	Sec. 212.0415.  APPLICATION OF SUBCHAPTER TO TAX-EXEMPT 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION PROPERTY. This subchapter does not apply to 
an unplatted tract of land that is exempt from ad valorem taxation 
under Section 11.20, Tax Code.  If the property loses its exemption 
from taxation under Section 11.20, Tax Code, this subchapter begins 
to apply to the property on the day after the date on which the 
exemption is lost.
	SECTION 3.  Section 12.002, Property Code, is amended by 
adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
	(h)  Notwithstanding this section, a person may file for 
record or have recorded in the county clerk's office a plat if the 
plat is exempted from approval under Section 212.0047, Local 
Government Code.  An unapproved plat must be stamped "unapproved 
plat" by the county clerk or a deputy of the clerk before it may be 
filed, and the clerk or deputy shall note on the plat that the 
property was exempt under Section 212.0047, Local Government Code.
	(2)  On page 4, line 21, strike "SECTION 3.  This Act takes 
effect" and substitute:
	"SECTION 6.  (a)  Sections 1 through 3 of this Act take effect 
September 1, 2003.
	(b)  Sections 4 and 5 of this Act take effect".                                
	(3)  On page 4, line 22, strike "applies" and substitute 
"apply".            
	(4)  On page 5, line 1, strike "this Act has" and substitute 
"Sections 4 and 5 of this Act have".