88R25151 JCG-F
 
  By: Guillen, et al. H.B. No. 7
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 7:
 
  By:  Slawson C.S.H.B. No. 7
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to services and programs in the southern border region of
  this state to address the effects of ongoing criminal activity and
  public health threats in that region.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDING
         SECTION 1.01.  The legislature, acting with the governor,
  has the solemn duty to protect and defend the citizens of this state
  and maintain sovereignty over this state's borders.
  ARTICLE 2. BORDER PROTECTION AGREEMENTS
         SECTION 2.01.  Title 7, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 794 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 794. BORDER PROTECTION AGREEMENTS WITH UNITED MEXICAN
  STATES
         Sec. 794.001.  AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENTS. On behalf of this
  state, the governor shall coordinate, develop, and execute
  agreements with the United Mexican States and the states of the
  United Mexican States regarding the authority of this state to
  protect and defend its citizens.
  ARTICLE 3. BORDER REGION SPECIALTY COURT PROGRAM
         SECTION 3.01.  Chapter 72, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter H to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER H. BORDER PROTECTION COURT GRANT PROGRAM
         Sec. 72.201.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Border-related offense" means an offense:
                     (A)  associated with or involving:
                           (i)  a person unlawfully entering or
  attempting to enter this state by crossing the Texas-Mexico border
  at any place other than at a port of entry;
                           (ii)  the smuggling of individuals or
  contraband across the Texas-Mexico border; or
                           (iii)  an operative of a transnational
  cartel;
                     (B)  similar to an offense described by Paragraph
  (A) that the office by rule defines as a border-related offense for
  purposes of this subchapter; or
                     (C)  for which the office has determined
  prosecutions have increased as a result of Operation Lone Star.
               (2)  "Border region" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 772.0071.
         Sec. 72.202.  GRANT PROGRAM. (a) From money appropriated
  for that purpose, the office shall establish and administer a grant
  program to support the operation of courts in the border region with
  the adjudication of border-related offenses.
         (b)  In addition to other funds appropriated by the
  legislature and for purposes of administering and funding the grant
  program, the office may:
               (1)  seek and apply for any available federal funds;
  and
               (2)  solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations
  from any other source, public or private, as necessary to ensure
  resources are available to achieve the purpose described by
  Subsection (a).
         (c)  The grants awarded under this subchapter may be used for
  the reimbursement of costs associated with the operation of a
  court, including the:
               (1)  salary of a visiting judge appointed under Chapter
  74;
               (2)  salary and benefits of an associate judge, court
  coordinator, court administrator, court reporter, and court
  interpreter;
               (3)  salary and benefits of district and county clerk
  staff;
               (4)  travel costs and other expenses incurred by court
  personnel and judges in the performance of their duties;
               (5)  cost of equipment necessary for personnel
  dedicated to the processing and adjudicating of border-related
  offenses; or
               (6)  fees and related expenses for the appointment of
  counsel to represent an indigent defendant under Chapter 26, Code
  of Criminal Procedure, or the costs to operate a public defender's
  office or managed assigned counsel program under that chapter, as
  those fees and expenses relate to the adjudication of
  border-related offenses.
         Sec. 72.203.  RULES. (a) The office shall adopt rules for
  the administration and operation of the grant program established
  under this subchapter.
         (b)  In adopting the rules, the office shall:
               (1)  conduct a study of the data available on crime,
  arrests, detentions, and convictions to identify offenses for which
  prosecutions have increased as a result of Operation Lone Star; and
               (2)  solicit from governmental officials, community
  leaders, and other interested persons in the border region
  information necessary to identify the courts of the region needing
  financial assistance.
         (c)  The rules must include:
               (1)  administrative provisions for grants awarded
  under this subchapter, including:
                     (A)  eligibility criteria for grant applicants,
  including criteria to limit eligibility to those applicants
  experiencing an increase in caseloads;
                     (B)  grant application procedures;
                     (C)  guidelines relating to grant amounts;
                     (D)  procedures for evaluating grant
  applications; and
                     (E)  procedures for monitoring the use of grants;
               (2)  methods for tracking the effectiveness of grants
  and the efficiency of the applicants receiving grants; and
               (3)  procedures for reporting caseload data at least
  annually.
         Sec. 72.204.  GRANT AMOUNTS. The amount of a grant awarded
  under this section may not exceed the amount set by the General
  Appropriations Act.
         Sec. 72.205.  REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The recipient of a
  grant awarded under this subchapter shall submit to the office an
  annual report on the grant money spent during the year covered by
  the report and the purposes for which that money was spent.
         Sec. 72.206.  ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. Unless otherwise
  provided by the appropriation, the office may use a reasonable
  amount, not to exceed five percent, of any general revenue
  appropriated for purposes of this subchapter to pay the costs of
  administering the grant program.
         SECTION 3.02.  As soon as practicable after the effective
  date of this Act, the Office of Court Administration of the Texas
  Judicial System shall with respect to Subchapter H, Chapter 72,
  Government Code, as added by this Act:
               (1)  adopt rules as necessary to implement the
  subchapter; and
               (2)  establish the grant program required by the
  subchapter.
  ARTICLE 4. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES,
  EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES IN THE BORDER REGION
         SECTION 4.01.  Chapter 421, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter G to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER G. GRANT PROGRAMS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES,
  EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES IN THE BORDER REGION
         Sec. 421.111.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Border region" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 772.0071.
               (2)  "Division" means the criminal justice division
  established under Section 772.006.
               (3)  "Local government" means a municipality, county,
  special purpose district, or other political subdivision of this
  state.
         Sec. 421.112.  GRANTS PROGRAMS. From money appropriated for
  that purpose, the division shall establish and administer:
               (1)  the Border Protection Equipment and
  Infrastructure Fund to award grants to state agencies and local
  governments located or operating in the border region for the
  construction and maintenance of temporary border security
  infrastructure, including temporary barriers, fences, wires,
  roads, trenches, surveillance technology, or other improvements,
  designed or adapted to surveil or impede the movement of persons or
  objects across the Texas-Mexico border at locations other than
  ports of entry and for the purchase or maintenance of equipment
  related to providing public health and safety services in the
  border region, including law enforcement services, communication
  services, and emergency services, to enhance the safety and
  security of the citizens of this state;
               (2)  the Border Protection Criminal Justice Facilities
  Fund to award grants to state agencies, local governments, or
  private entities located or operating in the border region for the
  construction and maintenance of facilities related to prosecuting
  and adjudicating offenses committed in the border region, including
  court facilities, processing facilities, detention facilities,
  criminal justice centers, and other similar facilities;
               (3)  the Border Protection Public Safety Personnel Fund
  to award grants to state agencies or local governments located or
  operating in the border region for the payment of staff salaries and
  benefits and the payment of operational expenses related to
  providing law enforcement services; and
               (4)  the Border Protection Secure Trade Fund to award
  grants to state agencies, local governments, entities operating
  ports of entry, or private entities located or operating in the
  border region for the construction of improvements to an area in the
  immediate vicinity of a port of entry to enhance vehicle inspection
  capabilities and assist in the investigation, interdiction, and
  prosecution of persons smuggling individuals or contraband across
  the Texas-Mexico border and for the construction or improvement of
  roadways and similar transportation facilities that provide for
  detailed monitoring of commercial motor vehicles traveling along
  the roadways and facilities in the border region.
         Sec. 421.113.  FEDERAL FUNDS; GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS.
  In addition to other funds appropriated by the legislature and for
  purposes of administering and funding the grant programs
  established under Section 421.112, the division may:
               (1)  seek and apply for any available federal funds;
  and
               (2)  solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations
  from any other source, public or private, as necessary to ensure
  effective implementation of the programs.
         Sec. 421.114.  RULES. (a) The governor shall adopt rules
  for the administration of this subchapter.
         (b)  In adopting the rules, the governor shall solicit from
  public officials and community leaders in the border region and any
  other interested stakeholders information necessary to identify
  the greatest needs for financial assistance in that region.
         (c)  In adopting rules that relate to the grant program
  established under Section 421.112(4), the governor shall consult
  federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, and private
  entities with particular knowledge and expertise on the:
               (1)  investigation, interdiction, and prosecution of
  persons smuggling individuals and contraband over the Texas-Mexico
  border; and
               (2)  construction or improvement of roadways and
  similar transportation facilities that provide for detailed
  monitoring of commercial motor vehicles traveling along the
  roadways and facilities.
         (d)  The rules must include:
               (1)  administrative provisions for grants awarded
  under this subchapter, including:
                     (A)  eligibility criteria for grant applicants;
                     (B)  grant application procedures;
                     (C)  guidelines relating to grant amounts;
                     (D)  procedures for evaluating grant
  applications; and
                     (E)  procedures for monitoring the use of grants;
               (2)  methods for tracking the effectiveness of grants;
  and
               (3)  provisions for donations to the grant program
  established under Section 421.112(1).
         Sec. 421.115.  GRANT AMOUNTS. The amount of a grant awarded
  under this subchapter may not exceed the amount set by the General
  Appropriations Act.
         Sec. 421.116.  REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The recipient of a
  grant awarded under this subchapter shall submit to the division an
  annual report on the grant money spent during the year covered by
  the report and the purposes for which that money was spent.
         Sec. 421.117.  ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. Unless otherwise
  provided by the appropriation, the division may use a reasonable
  amount, not to exceed five percent, of any general revenue
  appropriated for purposes of this subchapter to pay the costs of
  administering this subchapter.
         SECTION 4.02.  As soon as practicable after the effective
  date of this Act, the office of the governor shall with respect to
  Subchapter G, Chapter 421, Government Code, as added by this Act:
               (1)  adopt rules as necessary to implement the
  subchapter; and
               (2)  establish the grant programs required by the
  subchapter.
  ARTICLE 5. BORDER PROTECTION PROPERTY DAMAGE ACCOUNT
         SECTION 5.01.  Article 59.06(t)(1), Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended to read as follows:
         (t)(1)  This subsection applies only to contraband for which
  forfeiture is authorized with respect to an offense under Section
  [20.05,] 20.06, 20.07, 43.04, or 43.05 or Chapter 20A, Penal Code.
         SECTION 5.02.  Article 59.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (v) to read as follows:
         (v)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this article,
  with respect to forfeited property seized in connection with an
  offense under Section 20.05, Penal Code, in a proceeding under
  Article 59.05 in which judgment is rendered in favor of the state,
  the attorney representing the state shall transfer the proceeds
  from the sale of the forfeited property under Subsection (a) to the
  comptroller for deposit to the credit of the border property damage
  compensation account established under Chapter 421A, Government
  Code.
         SECTION 5.03.  Subtitle B, Title 4, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 421A to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 421A. BORDER PROPERTY DAMAGE COMPENSATION ACCOUNT
         Sec. 421A.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Account" means the border property damage
  compensation account established under this chapter.
               (2)  "Border region" has the meaning assigned by
  Section 772.0071.
               (3)  "Division" means the criminal justice division
  established under Section 772.006.
         Sec. 421A.002.  LEGISLATIVE FINDING. The legislature finds
  that a person in the border region who incurs actual damages to the
  person's real or personal property is a victim of crime for purposes
  of Section 31, Article I, Texas Constitution, if the damage is
  caused by:
               (1)  a person who entered or attempted to enter this
  state by crossing the Texas-Mexico border at a place other than at a
  port of entry;
               (2)  a person who assisted a person described by
  Subdivision (1); or
               (3)  a law enforcement action taken to repel, arrest,
  or detain a person described by Subdivision (1) or (2).
         Sec. 421A.003.  ACCOUNT ESTABLISHED. (a) The border
  property damage compensation account is:
               (1)  created within the compensation to victims of
  crime fund; and
               (2)  administered by the division under rules adopted
  by the governor for the purposes authorized by this chapter.
         (b)  The account consists of:
               (1)  money appropriated, credited, or transferred to
  the account by the legislature;
               (2)  revenue that the legislature by statute dedicates
  for deposit to the credit of the account;
               (3)  investment earnings and interest earned on money
  in the account;
               (4)  gifts, grants, and donations received by the state
  for the purpose of the account; and
               (5)  proceeds received under Article 59.06(v), Code of
  Criminal Procedure.
         Sec. 421A.004.  USE OF MONEY; COMPENSATION PROGRAM.
  Notwithstanding any other law, from money appropriated from the
  account for that purpose, the division shall establish a program to
  compensate a person residing in the border region for actual
  damages to the person's real or personal property caused by:
               (1)  a person who entered or attempted to enter this
  state by crossing the Texas-Mexico border at a place other than at a
  port of entry;
               (2)  a person who assisted a person described by
  Subdivision (1); or
               (3)  a law enforcement action taken to repel, arrest,
  or detain a person described by Subdivision (1) or (2).
         Sec. 421A.005.  RULES. The governor may adopt rules to
  administer this chapter.
  ARTICLE 6. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
         SECTION 6.01.  Chapter 61, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter D-1 to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER D-1. BORDER INSTITUTION GRANT PROGRAM
         Sec. 61.101.  BORDER INSTITUTION GRANT PROGRAM. (a) In this
  subchapter, "border region" has the meaning assigned by Section
  772.0071, Government Code.
         (b)  Subject to the availability of funds, the board shall
  establish a border institution grant program under which the board
  awards financial assistance to institutions of higher education
  located in the border region that administer innovative programs
  designed to:
               (1)  recruit, train, retain, or otherwise increase the
  number of professionals in fields related to border safety or
  affected by ongoing criminal activity and public health threats to
  the border region, as determined by board rule, including by
  providing a salary increase or stipend to a faculty member who
  provides instruction to additional students in a degree or
  certificate program that graduates those professionals; and
               (2)  conduct research in areas of study related to
  border safety or the effects of ongoing criminal activity and
  public health threats to the border region.
         Sec. 61.102.  FEDERAL FUNDS AND GIFTS, GRANTS, AND
  DONATIONS. In addition to other funds appropriated by the
  legislature and for the purposes described by Section 61.101, the
  board may:
               (1)  seek and apply for any available federal funds;
  and
               (2)  solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations
  from any other source, public or private, as necessary to ensure
  effective implementation of the grant program established under
  this subchapter.
         Sec. 61.103.  RULES. (a) The board shall adopt rules for
  the administration of the grant program established under this
  subchapter. In adopting the rules, the board shall solicit, from
  border region officials, community leaders in the border region,
  and other stakeholders, information necessary to identify
  innovative programs anticipated to produce the best outcomes and
  serve the greatest need.
         (b)  The rules must include:
               (1)  administrative provisions for grants awarded
  under this subchapter, including:
                     (A)  eligibility criteria for institutions of
  higher education, including a requirement that the institution
  demonstrate regional and state workforce need;
                     (B)  grant application procedures;
                     (C)  guidelines relating to grant amounts;
                     (D)  procedures for evaluating grant
  applications; and
                     (E)  procedures for monitoring the use of grants;
  and
               (2)  methods for tracking the effectiveness of grants
  that:
                     (A)  using data reasonably available to the board,
  consider relevant information regarding the career paths of
  professionals described by Section 61.101 during the four-year
  period following their graduation; and
                     (B)  evaluate whether and for how long those
  professionals practice in a field described by Section 61.101 in
  this state.
         Sec. 61.104.  AWARD OF GRANTS. In awarding grants under this
  subchapter, the board shall give priority to applicants that
  propose to:
               (1)  enhance or leverage existing degree programs that
  graduate professionals described by Section 61.101;
               (2)  establish or maintain a program that serves a
  rural or underserved area;
               (3)  partner with another institution of higher
  education to develop a joint program;
               (4)  establish or maintain a program that incentivizes
  professionals described by Section 61.101 to serve in their field
  or a related field of study for at least three consecutive years
  following graduation; and
               (5)  establish or maintain a degree or certificate
  program to educate professionals in specialties that face
  significant workforce shortages, including those described by
  Section 61.101.
         Sec. 61.105.  GRANT AMOUNTS. The amount of a grant awarded
  under this subchapter may not exceed an amount specified in the
  General Appropriations Act.
         Sec. 61.106.  REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. An institution of
  higher education that receives a grant awarded under this
  subchapter shall submit to the board an annual report on the amounts
  and purposes for which grant money was spent during the year covered
  by the report.
         Sec. 61.107.  ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. Unless otherwise
  provided by the appropriation, the board may use a reasonable
  amount, not to exceed five percent, of any general revenue
  appropriated for purposes of this subchapter to pay the costs of
  administering this subchapter.
         SECTION 6.02.  (a) As soon as practicable after the
  effective date of this Act, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating
  Board shall adopt rules for the implementation and administration
  of the border institution grant program established under
  Subchapter D-1, Chapter 61, Education Code, as added by this Act.
         (b)  Not later than September 1, 2024, the Texas Higher
  Education Coordinating Board shall establish the border
  institution grant program required by Subchapter D-1, Chapter 61,
  Education Code, as added by this Act, and shall begin to award
  grants under the program as soon as practicable after the program is
  established.
  ARTICLE 7. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
         SECTION 7.01.  Chapter 481, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter Q to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER Q. BORDER PROTECTION ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE
         Sec. 481.241.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "border
  region" has the meaning assigned by Section 772.0071.
         Sec. 481.242.  CAMPAIGN FOR BUSINESSES AND TOURISM. (a) In
  consultation with stakeholders in the border region, the office
  shall develop and execute a campaign to:
               (1)  attract domestic and foreign entities to:
                     (A)  locate the headquarters of those entities in
  the border region; or
                     (B)  expand the entities' operations to the border
  region;
               (2)  support and promote tourism in the border region;
  and
               (3)  support institutions and initiatives in the border
  region that create an environment conducive to starting or
  operating a company whose primary business is providing homeland
  security technology or services.
         (b)  The office may coordinate with and assist any
  municipality, county, or other political subdivision in supporting
  or promoting the purposes described by Subsection (a).
         Sec. 481.243.  TARGETED RESEARCH AND OUTREACH; SUPPORTIVE
  PROGRAMS. (a) In developing and executing the campaign described
  by Section 481.242, the office shall identify and research
  particular companies and types of companies with a high potential
  of commercial success if the companies were to operate in the border
  region.
         (b)  For each company identified under Subsection (a), the
  office shall develop and execute a campaign to attract the company
  to locate its headquarters or expand operations into the border
  region.
         (c)  For a type of company identified under Subsection (a),
  the office shall create programs for supporting the formation of
  new companies in the border region of that type.
         Sec. 481.244.  GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. To achieve the
  purposes of this subchapter, the office shall:
               (1)  seek and apply for any available federal funds;
  and
               (2)  solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations
  from any other source, public or private, as necessary to ensure
  effective implementation of this subchapter.
         Sec. 481.245.  ANNUAL REPORT. Not later than December 31 of
  each year, the office shall report to the legislature on the
  activities of the office under this subchapter.
         Sec. 481.246.  ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. Unless otherwise
  provided by the appropriation, the office may use a reasonable
  amount, not to exceed five percent, of any general revenue
  appropriated for the purposes of this subchapter to administer this
  subchapter.
  ARTICLE 8. EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 8.01.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.