S.B. No. 1240 AN ACT relating to the partition of mineral interests of a charitable trust. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 9, Property Code, is amended by adding Chapter 124 to read as follows: CHAPTER 124. PARTITION OF MINERAL INTERESTS OF CHARITABLE TRUST Sec. 124.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Charitable entity" means a corporation, trust, community chest, fund, foundation, or other entity organized for scientific, educational, philanthropic, or environmental purposes, social welfare, the arts and humanities, or another civic or public purpose described by Section 501(c)(3), Internal Revenue Code of 1986. (2) "Charitable trust" means a charitable entity, a trust the stated purpose of which is to benefit a charitable entity, or an inter vivos or testamentary gift to a charitable entity. (3) "Mineral interest" means an interest in oil, gas, or other mineral substance in place or that otherwise constitutes real property without regard to the depth at which such mineral substance is found. Sec. 124.002. COMPULSORY DIVESTMENT PROHIBITED. In a suit or other judicial proceeding the object or effect of which is to compel the partition of a mineral interest owned or claimed by a charitable trust, a sale or other action that would divest the charitable trust of the trust's ownership of a mineral interest may not be ordered unless the trust has refused to execute a mineral lease, the terms of which are fair and reasonable, to the plaintiff or petitioner in the proceeding. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to a proceeding commenced on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1240 passed the Senate on April 25, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 15, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1240 passed the House, with amendment, on May 10, 2013, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, two present not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor