H.B. No. 4179
AN ACT
relating to the cemeteries in certain counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 713, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 713.0271 to read as follows:
Sec. 713.0271. CEMETERY OWNED BY CERTAIN COUNTIES. A
county with a population of more than 550,000 that borders a county
with a population of more than 3.3 million may own, operate, and
maintain a cemetery.
SECTION 2. Section 713.028(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) For purposes of historical preservation or public
health, safety, or welfare, a commissioners court may use public
funds, county employees, county inmate labor as provided by Article
43.10, Code of Criminal Procedure, and county equipment to maintain
a cemetery that is at least [has a grave marker more than] 50 years
old.
SECTION 3. Section 713.026(a), Health and Safety Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Sections 713.027, 713.0271, and
713.028, a trustee of a fund established under this subchapter or a
member of the commissioners court or any other elected county
officer may not pay or use public funds or county employees,
equipment, or property to maintain a neglected or unkept public or
private cemetery.
SECTION 4. 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, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4179 was passed by the House on May 7,
2019, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4179 was passed by the Senate on May
21, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor