Honorable Donna Campbell, Chair, Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB838 by Lucio (Relating to the functions of the Office of Immigration and Refugee Affairs and the Governor's Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugees.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Chapter 752 of the Government Code regarding the functions of the Office of Immigration and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) within the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Governor's Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugees. The bill would require OIRA to work with the office of the Secretary of State (SOS); to seek reimbursements from the federal government for any costs incurred by state agencies, local governments, non-profit organizations, and faith based organizations in addressing matters related to refugees and immigrants; to expand the populations to be served to immigrants; and to arrange meetings with local, state and federal authorities and similar authorities from Mexico to promote establishing initiatives and government-supported efforts to limit entrance of undocumented immigrants to Texas. The bill would change the composition of the members of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Immigration and Refugees and extend its operations to additional immigrant and refugee-related programs and activities.
The Office of the Governor indicates that any cost associated with implementing provisions of the bill could be absorbed within existing resources. SOS estimates there would be a cost associated with implementing provisions of the bill, however it is anticipated that the cost could be absorbed within existing agency resources. It is assumed that the provisions related to working with SOS, seeking the reimbursements, and arranging the meetings can be implemented within existing resources at HHSC. There could be a significant fiscal impact to federal funds to provide the reimbursements and to provide services to immigrants, however it is assumed if federal funds are not available, they would not be replaced with General Revenue; therefore, no significant impact to state funds is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
301 Office of the Governor, 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 307 Secretary of State, 529 Health and Human Services Commission