BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                 C.S.S.B. 350

79R8307 MSE-D                                                                                                            By: Lindsay

                                                                                                               Intergovernmental Relations

3/10/2005

Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The Health and Safety Code permits an organized religious society or sect to establish and use  a columbarium attached to a principal church building. C.S.S.B. 350 authorizes a church to construct a columbarium that is not attached to the principal church building as long as it is constructed on land owned by the religious society or sect that is part of the campus in which the existing principal church building is located.  C.S.S.B. 350 is bracketed to apply to the City of Houston.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 711.001, Health and Safety Code, by adding Subdivision (1-a) to define "campus." 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 711.008(b), Health and Safety Code, to provide that Subsection (a) (restricting the location of property used for the interment of remains) is inapplicable to the establishment and use of a columbarium that meets certain conditions. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2005.