H.B. No. 1404
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment and use of a columbarium by a church.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 711.008(b), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Subsection (a) does not apply to:
               (1)  a cemetery heretofore established and operating;
               (2)  the establishment and use of a columbarium by 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, as part of or
  attached to the principal church building owned by the society or
  sect;
               (3)  the establishment and use of a columbarium[:
                     [(A)     in a municipality with a population of at
  least 1.8 million;   and
                     [(B)]  by 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, on land that:
                     (A) [(i)]  is owned by the society or sect;  and
                     (B) [(ii)]  is part of the campus on which an
  existing principal church building is located; or
               (4)  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.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1404 was passed by the House on April
  7, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 1404 was passed by the Senate on May
  21, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor