BILL ANALYSIS
By: Escobar
Border & International Affairs
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Persons and agencies engaged in law enforcement activities in the regions near the international border face unique challenges in dealing with large criminal organizations that make money through the sale of illegal drugs or armaments, and human trafficking. While federal law enforcement agencies play a significant role in border law enforcement, many of the responsibilities to maintain law and order ultimately rest with local sheriffs and police departments. C.S.H.B. 2155 amends the Government Code by directing additional financial assistance to these areas for law enforcement purposes.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
C.S.H.B. 2155 amends the Government Code by providing that a grant awarded under 42 U.S.C. Section 3751 and allocated to a law enforcement agency, drug task force, or other entity under this Act must be used for a purpose outlined in that federal law. The substitute authorizes certain grants awarded for homeland security be used as provided by this Act, and requires the criminal justice division of the governor's office to prioritize the allocation of grant money for border law enforcement purposes. The substitute authorizes the division to award grants as provided by this Act. The substitute authorizes the division to contract with a grant recipient under certain requirements to achieve the purposes described by this Act.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute provides that in addition to federal funds awarded under 42 U.S.C. Section 3751, certain federal and state funds including state general revenue funds appropriated for purposes of homeland security be used as provided by this Act.