84R10988 DDT-D
 
  By: Blanco H.B. No. 3771
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a study on the effectiveness of Operation Strong
  Safety.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  STUDY OF OPERATION STRONG SAFETY. The Homeland
  Security Council shall conduct a study to evaluate the
  effectiveness of Operation Strong Safety.
         SECTION 2.  SCOPE OF STUDY. (a) The study must:
               (1)  evaluate how effectively state financial
  resources were used to address the threat of drug cartel crime along
  the international border during the operation;
               (2)  evaluate how effectively state financial
  resources are currently being used to address the threat of drug
  cartel crime along the international border;
               (3)  compare the estimated amount of controlled
  substances illegally transported across the border during
  Operation Strong Safety with the amount of controlled substances
  illegally transported across the border during a comparable period
  immediately before the date the operation began; and
               (4)  compare the estimated number of firearms illegally
  transported across the border during Operation Strong Safety with
  the estimated number of firearms illegally transported across the
  border during a comparable period immediately before the date the
  operation began.
         (b)  In conducting the study, the Homeland Security Council
  shall solicit input from and collaborate with:
               (1)  local law enforcement agencies and officials,
  including county sheriffs' departments and local police
  departments, on the best practices for improving state efforts to
  combat drug and firearms trafficking; and
               (2)  to the extent feasible, the United States Border
  Patrol.
         SECTION 3.  REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The Homeland
  Security Council shall issue a written report to the governor, the
  lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of
  representatives that includes the council's findings.
         (b)  The report must be issued not later than November 30,
  2016.
         SECTION 4.  EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 1, 2016.
         SECTION 5.  EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September
  1, 2015.