Texas Legislative Update: Border Security
We have been blessed with more rain and a green spring as summer approaches!
I wanted to share with you another update on the results of the 84th Texas Legislative Session, which ended June 1st. A wide-range of bills were considered and the following were passed by the House and Senate, and have sent to the Governor. Other updates will continue to follow over the next few weeks.
Border Security
House Bill 11 addresses border security in Texas in order to better protect Texans along the Texas-Mexico border. It directs the state, including the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), in spending $840 million additional dollars allocated in the state’s budget. Importantly, this legislation authorizes and funds the hiring and training of 250 new permanent state troopers to patrol border areas. It also establishes a catch-all intelligence center in Hidalgo County to analyze border crime data and creates a voluntary reserve corps of retired DPS officers to bolster ranks. The bill also enables 50-hour work weeks for state troopers and establishes southbound checkpoints at the border. Governor Abbott can authorize to keep members of the Texas National Guard along the border as long as needed and until replaced by the newly-hired and trained DPS officers. The bill also establishes an interim joint select committee of members of the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate to review and study border security on an ongoing basis.
Senate Bill 1734 requires the State Soil and Water Conservation Board to develop and implement a program to eradicate Carrizo Cane along the Rio Grande River. This non-native invasive plant species consumes water and competes with native plant species in important riparian areas. It can also provide cover to individuals attempting to cross the international border illegally, hindering the movement and effectiveness of federal, state and local law enforcement.
Human Trafficking
House Bill 10 revises multiple state laws relating to various criminal and civil consequences of human trafficking, compelling prostitution, and certain other related criminal offenses. The bill’s goal is to increase the punishment tools available to prosecutors for crimes committed by people taking advantage of others. The bill would require Governor Abbott to establish the Child Sex Trafficking Prevention Unit within the Office of the Governor's criminal justice division. This bill also requires the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to develop a policy that includes mandatory reporting related to trafficking of a child. Each school district and open-enrollment charter school would be required to report any finding which resembles child human trafficking. This policy would be in addition to current child abuse and neglect reporting policies.
E-Verify
Senate Bill 374 requires that all state agencies register and participate in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security “E-Verify” program, which checks employees’ legal authorization to work in the United States by considering applicants’ immigration status. The Texas Workforce Commission will be tasked with oversight of the program. SB 374 will not apply to companies that contract with state agencies. This legislation passed the House by a vote of 122-21.
It is an honor to serve you as your State Representative in Austin in the Texas Legislature. If I or my staff can ever be of assistance to you in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us.