April 27, 1949 Hon. Pearce Johnson, Chairman Committee on State Affairs House of Representatives 51st Legislature Aus tin, Texas Cplnlon NO. v-812 Re: Constltutlonallty of House Bill No.224 quitclaiming a lot in Borger, Texas. Dear Sir: . In reply to your request concerning the con- stltutlonallty OS the above bill, you are advised that the only constitutional provlalon which the bill map violate is Article III, Section 55, which provide8 as / follous: “The Legislature shall have no power to release or extinguish. or to authorize the releasing or extinguishing, in whole or In part, the indebtedness, llablllty or obllgatlon OS any corporation or individual, to this State or to any county or defined subdivision thereof, or other munl,clpal corporation therein, except delinquent taxes which have,,been due for a period of at least ten years tlon Nov .8 &gj55,Art. III, adopted elec- l 3 It would appear from recltatlone contained in the bill that no debt Is released in violation of this provision; however, this is a question of fact for your determination. IS in fact no debt owing the State or Its political subdivisiona is released, then it is our opinion that the bill la constitutional. Hon. Pearce Johnson - Page 2 - v-812 SUMMARY House Bill 224, 51st Leglsla- ture, QuitclaImIng State's interest to a lot In Borger, Texas, acquired under tax judgment and execution, to record owner is constitutional pro- vided no State debt i8 fllea8qU in violation of Article III, Section 55 of the Texas Constitution. Yours very truly ATTORNEYORRERALO~TRXAS HDP:bt APPROVED n ATTORNEY QRRRRAL