BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 89

 

By: Nelson

 

Finance

 

8/27/2021

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The continuing surge of individuals unlawfully crossing the Texas-Mexico border poses an ongoing and imminent threat of widespread and severe damage, including injury and loss of life, loss of property, and property damage, increases in property crime, human trafficking, and violent crime, threats to public health, and a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity. S.B. 89 seeks to mitigate these threats by providing supplemental appropriations and staffing relating to border security and gives direction regarding those appropriations.

 

As proposed, S.B. 89 amends current law relating to making supplemental appropriations relating to border security and giving direction regarding those appropriations.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION, TEXAS JUDICIAL COUNCIL. (a) Provides that the amount of $32,486,125 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Office of Court Administration (OCA), Texas Judicial Council for the purpose of providing funding for indigent legal representation, foreign language interpreters for courts, increased staff functions, equipment purchases, and program administration costs during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

(b) Authorizes OCA, Texas Judicial Council during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act, in addition to the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees other law authorizes OCA to employ during that period, to employ out of money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section six FTE employees.

 

SECTION 2. MILITARY DEPARTMENT. Provides that the amount of $301,007,231 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Texas Military Department for the purpose of providing funding for additional personnel to support border security operations during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

SECTION 3. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY. (a) Provides that the amount of $133,506,725 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) for the purpose of providing funding for 52 weeks of Operation Lone Star surge costs incurred during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

(b) Provides that the amount of $3,411,000 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to DPS for the purpose of providing funding to purchase tactical marine unit vessels during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

(c) Provides that the amount of $17,872,349 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to DPS for the purpose of providing funding for additional FTE employees during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

(d) Authorizes DPS, during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act, in addition to the number of FTE employees other law authorizes DPS to employ during that period, to employ out of money appropriated by Subsection (c) of this section 79 FTE employees.

 

SECTION 4. DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. Provides that the amount of $273,700,000 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the purpose of providing funding for correctional security operations during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

SECTION 5. COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS. (a) Provides that the amount of $214,785 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) for the purpose of providing funding to pay additional FTE employees, increased employee overtime compensation costs, and increased travel expenses during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

(b) Authorizes TCJS, during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act, in addition to the number of FTE employees other law authorizes TCJS to employ during that period, to employ out of money appropriated by Subsection (a) of this section three FTE employees.

 

SECTION 6. TRUSTEED PROGRAMS WITHIN THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR. (a) Provides that the amount of $1,020,290,860 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Trusteed Programs within the Office of the Governor for the purpose of providing funding for border security operations through the making of border security grants during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

(b) Provides that the amount of $3,765,000 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Trusteed Programs within the Office of the Governor for the purpose of providing funding for additional FTE employees and for additional training regarding the handling of misdemeanor crimes for district and county attorneys during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

(c) Authorizes the Trusteed Programs within the Office of the Governor, during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act, in addition to the number of FTE employees other law authorizes the office to employ during that period, to employ out of money appropriated by Subsection (b) of this section 27 FTE employees.

 

SECTION 7. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES. (a) Provides that the amount of $5,450,976 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) for the purpose of purchasing two ambulances during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

(b) Provides that the amount of $10,901,952 is appropriated from the general revenue fund to DSHS for the purpose of purchasing ambulances for use at two border security processing centers during the two-year period beginning on the effective date of this Act.

 

SECTION 8. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: upon passage.