H.B. No. 783
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to cemeteries in certain municipalities and counties.
         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 Subsections (g-3) and
  (g-4) to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b), (f), (g), (g-1),
  (g-2), (g-3), (g-4), (h), and (k), 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.
         (g-3)  An individual, corporation, partnership, firm, trust,
  or association may file a written application with the governing
  body of a municipality to establish or use a cemetery located inside
  the limits of the municipality. 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 governing body determines and states in
  the ordinance that the establishment or use of the cemetery does not
  adversely affect public health, safety, and welfare. This
  subsection applies only to a municipality that is located in:
               (1)  a county with a population of more than 750,000; or
               (2)  a county adjacent to a county with a population of
  more than 750,000. 
         (g-4)  An individual, corporation, partnership, firm, trust,
  or association may file a written application with the
  commissioners court of a county to establish or use a cemetery
  located inside the limits of the county. The commissioners court by
  order shall prescribe the information to be included in the
  application. The commissioners court by order may authorize the
  establishment or use of the cemetery if the commissioners court
  determines and states in the order that the establishment or use of
  the cemetery does not adversely affect public health, safety, and
  welfare. This subsection applies only to a county:
               (1)  with a population of more than 750,000; or 
               (2)  that is adjacent to a county with a population of
  more than 750,000. 
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 783 was passed by the House on April
  14, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 111, Nays 32, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 783 was passed by the Senate on May
  22, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays 3.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor