84R25260 SMH-D
	By: Fletcher	H.B. No. 1513

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the minimum size of a tract of land used to raise or keep
	bees in order for the tract to be eligible for appraisal for ad
	valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Section 23.51(2), Tax Code, is amended to read as
	follows:
	(2)  "Agricultural use" includes but is not limited to
	the following activities:  cultivating the soil, producing crops
	for human food, animal feed, or planting seed or for the production
	of fibers; floriculture, viticulture, and horticulture; raising or
	keeping livestock; raising or keeping exotic animals for the
	production of human food or of fiber, leather, pelts, or other
	tangible products having a commercial value; planting cover crops
	or leaving land idle for the purpose of participating in a
	governmental program, provided the land is not used for residential
	purposes or a purpose inconsistent with agricultural use; and
	planting cover crops or leaving land idle in conjunction with
	normal crop or livestock rotation procedure.  The term also
	includes the use of land to produce or harvest logs and posts for
	the use in constructing or repairing fences, pens, barns, or other
	agricultural improvements on adjacent qualified open-space land
	having the same owner and devoted to a different agricultural
	use.  The term also includes the use of land for wildlife
	management.  The term also includes the use of land to raise or keep
	bees for pollination or for the production of human food or other
	tangible products having a commercial value, provided that the land
	used is not less than 2 [5] or more than 20 acres.
	SECTION 2.  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 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2016.