BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 515

By: Bailes

Land & Resource Management

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that a certain property owner would like to establish a private family cemetery on the owner's property but would need an exemption from certain law relating to the location of a cemetery to establish the family cemetery. H.B. 515 provides for such an exemption.

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. 515 amends the Health and Safety Code to exempt from the prohibition against the establishment or operation of a cemetery, or the use of any land for the interment of remains, located within certain proximity of a municipality a private family cemetery that is established and operating on land outside the boundaries of a municipality that has been owned or occupied by members of the same family for at least three generations and that is within 10 miles of the largest prison cemetery in Texas.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.