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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to efficiency audits of Operation Lone Star and other |
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border security programs. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 411, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 411.056 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 411.056. EFFICIENCY AUDIT. (a) For purposes of this |
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section, "efficiency audit" means an investigation of the |
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implementation and administration of Operation Lone Star and other |
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border security programs to examine fiscal management, efficiency |
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of the use of resources, and the effectiveness of state efforts in |
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achieving the border security goals of this state. |
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(b) In 2024 and every second year after that year, an |
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external auditor selected under Subsection (e) shall conduct the |
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efficiency audit required by this section. |
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(c) The department shall pay the costs associated with an |
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efficiency audit required under this section using existing |
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resources. |
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(d) The comptroller shall ensure that the external auditor |
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conducts the efficiency audit in accordance with the requirements |
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of this section. |
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(e) Not later than March 1 of the year in which an efficiency |
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audit is required under this section, the comptroller shall select |
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and contract with an external auditor to conduct the efficiency |
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audit. |
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(f) The external auditor shall be independent and not |
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subject to direction from: |
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(1) the department; |
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(2) the Texas Military Department; or |
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(3) any other state agency subject to evaluation by |
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the auditor for purposes of this section or that receives or spends |
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money under the programs described by Subsection (a). |
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(g) The external auditor shall complete the audit not later |
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than the 90th day after the date the auditor is selected. |
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(h) The Legislative Budget Board shall establish the scope |
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of the efficiency audit and determine the areas of investigation |
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for the audit, including: |
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(1) reviewing the resources dedicated to a program |
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described by Subsection (a) to determine whether those resources: |
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(A) are being used effectively and efficiently to |
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achieve desired program outcomes, including securing the border; |
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and |
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(B) are not being used for purposes other than |
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the intended goals of the applicable program; |
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(2) identifying cost savings or reallocations of |
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resources; and |
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(3) reviewing governmental contracts and grants made |
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related to border security programs. |
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(i) Not later than November 1 of the year an efficiency |
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audit is conducted, the external auditor shall prepare and submit a |
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report of the audit and recommendations for efficiency improvements |
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to the governor, the Legislative Budget Board, the state auditor, |
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the comptroller, and the chairs of the house appropriations |
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committee and the senate finance committee. The governor and the |
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comptroller shall publish the report, recommendations, and full |
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audit on the governor's and the comptroller's Internet websites. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |