86R2319 SRA-D
 
  By: Martinez H.B. No. 4327
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment or use of perpetual care cemeteries
  located outside certain municipalities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 711.008, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (l) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b), (f), (g), (g-1),
  (h), [and] (k), and (l), an individual, corporation, partnership,
  firm, trust, or association may not establish or operate a
  cemetery, or use any land for the interment of remains, located:
               (1)  in or within one mile of the boundaries of a
  municipality with a population of 5,000 to 25,000;
               (2)  in or within two miles of the boundaries of a
  municipality with a population of 25,000 to 50,000;
               (3)  in or within three miles of the boundaries of a
  municipality with a population of 50,000 to 100,000;
               (4)  in or within four miles of the boundaries of a
  municipality with a population of 100,000 to 200,000; or
               (5)  in or within five miles of the boundaries of a
  municipality with a population of at least 200,000.
         (l)  Not later than September 1, 2021, 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) of that code, may file a written application with the
  governing body of a municipality that has a population of at least
  18,000 and not more than 20,000 and that is located in a county with
  a population of at least 750,000 to establish or use a perpetual
  care cemetery located outside the municipality but within one-half
  mile of the municipal boundaries. The governing body by ordinance
  shall prescribe the information to be included in the application.
  The governing body by ordinance may authorize the establishment or
  use of the cemetery if the municipality determines and states in the
  ordinance that the establishment or use of the cemetery does not
  adversely affect public health, safety, and welfare.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.