BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1614
80R5093 JTS-D By: Gattis (Ogden)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
In traditional Judeo-Christian religious denominations, columbaria are used to house the cremated remains of the deceased, which are generally located in churches or meeting places of organized religious societies. Recently, alumni organizations of certain private and independent institutions of higher education have asked that columbaria be established on specific campuses.
H.B. 1614 allows private and independent colleges and universities to establish and use a columbarium on their campuses. The bill provides that an institution must be properly accredited, religiously affiliated, and have a place of worship located on the campus to qualify.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 711.008(b), Health and Safety Code, to include, among the locations that Subsection (a) (prohibiting cemeteries from being established or operated in certain places) does not apply to, the establishment and use of a columbarium on the campus of a private or independent institution of higher education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, that is wholly or substantially controlled, managed, owned, or supported by or otherwise affiliated with an organized religious society or sect that is exempt from income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed under Section 501(c)(3) of that code, if a place of worship is located on the campus.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2007.