Texas 2021 87th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1994 Introduced / Bill

Filed 03/12/2021

                    87R7041 SMT-F
 By: Springer S.B. No. 1994


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the eligibility of land for appraisal for ad valorem tax
 purposes as qualified open-space land based on its use to raise or
 keep bees.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Section 23.51, Tax Code, is amended by adding
 Subdivision (9) to read as follows:
 (9)  "Bee" and "colony" have the meanings assigned by
 Section 131.001, Agriculture Code.
 SECTION 2.  Subchapter D, Chapter 23, Tax Code, is amended by
 adding Section 23.5215 to read as follows:
 Sec. 23.5215.  STANDARDS FOR QUALIFICATION OF LAND FOR
 APPRAISAL BASED ON USE TO RAISE OR KEEP BEES. (a) Except as
 provided by Subsection (b), for land to qualify for appraisal under
 this subchapter for a tax year on the basis of its use to raise or
 keep bees:
 (1)  the land must contain at least six colonies; and
 (2)  the colonies must be located on the land for at
 least nine months of the year.
 (b)  If the land consists of more than 5 acres, the land must
 contain at least one additional colony for each additional 2.5
 acres.
 SECTION 3.  This Act applies only to the appraisal of land
 for ad valorem tax purposes for a tax year that begins on or after
 the effective date of this Act.
 SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2022.