| |
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to cooperation with federal agencies on immigration issues |
|
|
in this state; authorizing fees. |
|
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Chapter 751, Government Code, is amended by |
|
|
adding Subchapter C to read as follows: |
|
|
SUBCHAPTER C. COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR |
|
|
IMMIGRATION ISSUES |
|
|
Sec. 751.051. BORDER SECURITY. The office, in consultation |
|
|
with the Department of Public Safety, shall seek to enter into a |
|
|
memorandum of understanding or other agreement with the appropriate |
|
|
federal agency to implement a border security strategy in this |
|
|
state. The border security strategy requested may include, subject |
|
|
to the receipt of federal aid or funding: |
|
|
(1) an increase in the number of federal border |
|
|
officers working on the Texas-Mexico border; |
|
|
(2) strategic fencing in certain urban areas near the |
|
|
Texas-Mexico border; |
|
|
(3) increased land and sea border patrols; |
|
|
(4) flights of unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor |
|
|
border activity; |
|
|
(5) use of infrared cameras and other technology to |
|
|
assist in identifying persons attempting to cross the border |
|
|
illegally; |
|
|
(6) continued communication and cooperation with |
|
|
federal law enforcement authorities; and |
|
|
(7) improved extradition agreements with Mexico and |
|
|
other countries. |
|
|
Sec. 751.052. GUEST WORKER PROGRAM. The office, in |
|
|
consultation with the Texas Workforce Commission, shall seek to |
|
|
enter into a memorandum of understanding or other agreement with |
|
|
the appropriate federal agency to authorize or grant a waiver for a |
|
|
pilot guest worker program to be implemented in order to bring |
|
|
skilled and unskilled workers into this state during periods of |
|
|
time when no Texan workers are available to fill open employment |
|
|
positions. The proposed pilot program would: |
|
|
(1) be self-funding through participation fees and |
|
|
fines; |
|
|
(2) require applicants to: |
|
|
(A) pass a criminal background check; |
|
|
(B) show some proficiency in the English |
|
|
language; and |
|
|
(C) submit proof of health insurance coverage |
|
|
provided by the applicant's employer or purchased by the applicant; |
|
|
(3) limit participation to employers that deduct and |
|
|
match payroll taxes; and |
|
|
(4) provide for an identification card for program |
|
|
participants that would assist in monitoring any criminal and civil |
|
|
court appearances. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
|
|
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
|
|
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
|
|
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
|
|
Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |