By: Estes S.J.R. No. 51
 
  (Darby)
 
   
 
 
 
  proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature
  to provide that the eligibility of open-space land for ad valorem
  taxation on the basis of its productive capacity does not end
  because an oil and gas lessee begins conducting oil and gas
  operations on the land if the land otherwise continues to be devoted
  to farm, ranch, or wildlife management purposes or timber
  production.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1-d-1(a), Article VIII, Texas
  Constitution, is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  To promote the preservation of open-space land, the
  legislature shall provide by general law for taxation of open-space
  land devoted to farm, ranch, or wildlife management purposes on the
  basis of its productive capacity and may provide by general law for
  taxation of open-space land devoted to timber production on the
  basis of its productive capacity. The legislature by general law
  may provide eligibility limitations under this section and may
  impose sanctions in furtherance of the taxation policy of this
  section. The legislature by general law may provide that the
  eligibility of open-space land for taxation on the basis of its
  productive capacity does not end because a lessee under an oil and
  gas lease begins conducting oil and gas operations on the land if
  the portion of the land on which oil and gas operations are not
  being conducted otherwise continues to be devoted to a purpose
  described by this subsection.
         SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2017.
  The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the
  legislature to provide that the eligibility of open-space land for
  ad valorem taxation on the basis of its productive capacity does not
  end because an oil and gas lessee begins conducting oil and gas
  operations on the land if the land otherwise continues to be devoted
  to farm, ranch, or wildlife management purposes or timber
  production."