By: Schaefer H.B. No. 220

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to an interstate compact on border security and immigration enforcement.

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

SECTION 1. Title 7, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 793 to read as follows:

Sec. 793.001. EXECUTION OF COMPACT. (a) The Governor of Texas is directed to coordinate and develop an Interstate Compact for Border Security among interested states, and to seek the consent of Congress for the Compact. The purpose of the Compact will be for compacting states to engage in joint action on matters including, but not limited to:

i) the detection, apprehension, detention, prosecution, release, and monitoring of illegal aliens, international criminals, human traffickers, smugglers, and transnational criminal organizations;

ii) the coordination of federal, state, and local immigration enforcement operations;

iii) the construction, funding, and maintenance of physical barriers, including walls and fencing, to hinder illegal immigration, international criminals, human trafficking, smuggling, and transnational criminal organizations; and

iv) the eligibility of illegal aliens to receive state benefits.

(b) In support of this Interstate Compact, the Legislative Budget Board shall conduct a comprehensive review of state benefits provided to illegal aliens, which shall include a list of all state benefits provided to illegal aliens and their fiscal impact to taxpayers, and provide the report no later than 30 days after the report is completed to the Governor and members of the Texas Legislature.

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 on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.