85R6356 JG-D

By: Blanco H.B. No. 1202

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study on the effectiveness of Operation Secure Texas.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITION. In this Act, "Homeland Security Council" means the advisory entity created under Subchapter B, Chapter 421, Government Code.

SECTION 2. STUDY OF OPERATION SECURE TEXAS. The Homeland Security Council shall conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness of Operation Secure Texas.

SECTION 3. 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 Secure Texas 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 Secure Texas 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 best practices for improving state efforts to combat drug and firearms trafficking; and

(2) to the extent feasible, the United States Border Patrol.

SECTION 4. 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, 2018.

SECTION 5. EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 1, 2018.

SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.