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."