BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 9

By: Bonnen

Appropriations

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The continuing surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border poses an ongoing and imminent threat of widespread and severe damage, including: injury and loss of life; loss of property and property damage; increases in property crime; human trafficking and violent crime; threats to public health; and a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity. H.B. 9 seeks to mitigate these threats by providing supplemental appropriations and staffing relating to border security.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 9 makes supplemental appropriations relating to border security and gives direction regarding those appropriations.

Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

H.B. 9 appropriates $32,486,125 from the general revenue fund to the Office of Court Administration (OCA), Texas Judicial Council for the purpose of providing funding for indigent legal representation, foreign language interpreters for courts, increased staff functions, equipment purchases, and program administration costs during the two-year period beginning on the bill's effective date. During that two-year period, OCA is authorized to employ up to six additional full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) out of those appropriated funds.

Texas Military Department

H.B. 9 appropriates $301,007,231 from the general revenue fund to the Texas Military Department for the purpose of providing funding for additional personnel to support border security operations during the two-year period beginning on the bill's effective date.

Department of Public Safety

H.B. 9 appropriates the following amounts from the general revenue fund to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for the following purposes during the two-year period beginning on the bill's effective date:

·       $133,506,725 for the purpose of providing funding for 52 weeks of Operation Lone Star surge costs;

·       $3,411,000 for the purpose of providing funding to purchase tactical marine unit vessels; and

·       $17,872,349 for the purpose of providing funding for up to 79 additional FTEs. Out of these appropriated funds, during that two-year period, DPS is authorized to employ up to 79 additional FTEs.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

H.B. 9 appropriates $273,700,000 from the general revenue fund to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the purpose of providing funding for correctional security operations during the two-year period beginning on the bill's effective date.

Texas Commission on Jail Standards

H.B. 9 appropriates $214,785 from the general revenue fund to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for the purpose of providing funding to pay up to three additional FTEs, increased employee overtime compensation costs, and increased travel expenses during the two‑year period beginning on the bill's effective date. During that two-year period, TCJS is authorized to employ up to 3 additional FTEs out of those appropriated funds.

Trusteed Programs within the Office of the Governor

H.B. 9 appropriates the following amounts from the general revenue fund to the Trusteed Programs within the Office of the Governor (OOG-T) for the following purposes during the two-year period beginning on the bill's effective date:

·       $1,020,290,860 for the purpose of providing funding for border security operations through the making of border security grants; and

·       $3,765,000 for the purpose of providing funding for up to 27 additional FTEs and for additional training regarding the handling of misdemeanor crimes for district and county attorneys. Out of these appropriated funds, during that two-year period, OOG-T is authorized to employ up to 27 additional FTEs.

Department of State Health Services

H.B. 9 appropriates the following amounts from the general revenue fund to the Department of State Health Services for the following purposes during the two-year period beginning on the bill's effective date:

·       $5,450,976 for the purpose of purchasing two ambulances; and

·       $10,901,952 for the purpose of purchasing ambulances for use at two border security processing centers.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage.