BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1662

By: Sheets

Urban Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties observe that historic cemeteries that no longer accept new burials have no practical way of paying charges for drainage service, which can be hundreds of dollars each month. H.B. 1662 seeks to reduce drainage service costs for historic cemeteries.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1662 amends the Local Government Code to authorize a municipality to exempt property used for cemetery purposes from municipal drainage service charges if the cemetery is closed to new interments and does not accept new burials.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.