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  S.B. No. 662
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the establishment and use of a mausoleum beneath
  certain religious buildings.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subsection (b), Section 711.008, Health and
  Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  Subsection (a) does not apply to:
               (1)  a cemetery heretofore established and operating;
               (2)  the establishment and use of a columbarium by an
  organized religious society or sect that is exempt from income
  taxation under Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by
  being listed under Section 501(c)(3) of that code, as part of or
  attached to the principal church building owned by the society or
  sect;
               (3)  the establishment and use of a columbarium:
                     (A)  in a municipality with a population of at
  least 1.8 million; and
                     (B)  by an organized religious society or sect,
  that is exempt from income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal
  Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed under Section 501(c)(3) of
  that code, on land that:
                           (i)  is owned by the society or sect; and
                           (ii)  is part of the campus on which an
  existing principal church building is located; [or]
               (4)  the establishment and use of a columbarium on the
  campus of a private or independent institution of higher education,
  as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, that is wholly or
  substantially controlled, managed, owned, or supported by or
  otherwise affiliated with an organized religious society or sect
  that is exempt from income taxation under Section 501(a), Internal
  Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed under Section 501(c)(3) of
  that code, if a place of worship is located on the campus; or
               (5)  the establishment and use of a mausoleum that is:
                     (A)  constructed beneath the principal church
  building owned by an organized religious society or sect that:
                           (i)  is exempt from income taxation under
  Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed
  under Section 501(c)(3) of that code; and
                           (ii)  has recognized religious traditions
  and practices of interring the remains of ordained clergy in or
  below the principal church building; and
                     (B)  used only for the interment of the remains of
  ordained clergy of that organized religious society or sect.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 662 passed the Senate on
  March 19, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 662 passed the House on
  May 26, 2009, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, one present
  not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor