H.B. No. 1254 AN ACT relating to the eligibility of land secured by a home equity loan to be designated for agricultural use for ad valorem tax purposes. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 23.42(a), Tax Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) An [Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), an] individual is entitled to have land he owns designated for agricultural use if, on January 1: (1) the land has been devoted exclusively to or developed continuously for agriculture for the three years preceding the current year; (2) the individual is using and intends to use the land for agriculture as an occupation or a business venture for profit during the current year; and (3) agriculture is the individual's primary occupation and primary source of income. SECTION 2. Section 23.42(a-1), Tax Code, is repealed. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2020. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1254 was passed by the House on April 3, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 1, 2 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1254 was passed by the Senate on April 25, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor