BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1404

81R9075 CS-D                                                                                                   By: Miklos (Deuell)

Health & Human Services

5/2/2009

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

A columbarium is a structure made to store and display cinerary urns, or urns holding the cremated remains of the deceased. Traditionally columbaria have been attached to churches, but it is becoming more common for columbaria to be free-standing structures. Prior to S.B. 350, enacted in the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, the Health and Safety Code required a columbarium to be a part of or attached to a church. S.B. 350 eased the location requirements so that columbaria could be established separately from a church, while still on church property. The provision was limited to the City of Houston, however, as the request arose out of a particular circumstance.

H.B. 1404 amends current law relating to the establishment and use of a columbarium by a church.

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 711.008(b), Health and Safety Code, as follows:

(b)  Provides that Subsection (a) does not apply to the establishment and use of a columbarium, rather than the establishment and use a columbarium in a municipality with a population of at least 1.8 million.  Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2009.