88R26674 JCG-F
 
  By: Schaefer, et al. H.B. No. 20
 
  Substitute the following for H.B. No. 20:
 
  By:  Slawson C.S.H.B. No. 20
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to measures to ensure the safety and welfare of the border
  region of this state, including protection from ongoing criminal
  activity and public health threats and the establishment of the
  Border Protection Unit; creating a criminal offense; creating a
  civil penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
  ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
         SECTION 1.01.  This Act may be cited as the Border Protection
  Unit Act.
         SECTION 1.02.  The legislature finds that:
               (1)  The security of Texans and the sovereignty of this
  state have been threatened by the deadly activities of
  transnational cartels operating throughout this state and the
  United States.
               (2)  Many Texans have lost the peaceful use and
  enjoyment of their properties due to criminal activities along the
  border.
               (3)  Lethal quantities of opioids such as fentanyl are
  being trafficked into this state resulting in the poisoning deaths
  of people throughout Texas and the United States.
               (4)  Human trafficking by transnational cartels has
  resulted in the deaths of many people and the exploitation of women
  and children.
               (5)  This state is "in such imminent [d]anger as will
  not admit of delay" and declares authority under Section 10,
  Article 1, United States Constitution.
               (6)  Deaths from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids
  are increasing in this state and throughout the United States and
  number in the tens of thousands according to the National
  Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and
  Human Services.
               (7)  Fentanyl is being produced on an industrial scale
  by Mexican cartels and smuggled across the border into Texas.
               (8)  The number of people unlawfully entering Texas
  from Mexico at locations other than ports of entry has reached
  historic levels and local communities are increasingly
  overwhelmed.
               (9)  Law enforcement cannot adequately interdict
  fentanyl and human trafficking operations along the Texas-Mexico
  border because resources are diverted to address the unlawful entry
  by large numbers of people into Texas from Mexico.
               (10)  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 UNIT
         SECTION 2.01.  Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Art. 2.12.  WHO ARE PEACE OFFICERS. The following are peace
  officers:
               (1)  sheriffs, their deputies, and those reserve
  deputies who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under
  Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;
               (2)  constables, deputy constables, and those reserve
  deputy constables who hold a permanent peace officer license issued
  under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;
               (3)  marshals or police officers of an incorporated
  city, town, or village, and those reserve municipal police officers
  who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter
  1701, Occupations Code;
               (4)  rangers, officers, and members of the reserve
  officer corps commissioned by:
                     (A)  the Public Safety Commission; and
                     (B)  either:
                           (i)  the Director of the Department of
  Public Safety; or
                           (ii)  the unit chief of the Border
  Protection Unit;
               (5)  investigators of the district attorneys', criminal
  district attorneys', and county attorneys' offices;
               (6)  law enforcement agents of the Texas Alcoholic
  Beverage Commission;
               (7)  each member of an arson investigating unit
  commissioned by a city, a county, or the state;
               (8)  officers commissioned under Section 37.081,
  Education Code, or Subchapter E, Chapter 51, Education Code;
               (9)  officers commissioned by the General Services
  Commission;
               (10)  law enforcement officers commissioned by the
  Parks and Wildlife Commission;
               (11)  officers commissioned under Chapter 23,
  Transportation Code;
               (12)  municipal park and recreational patrolmen and
  security officers;
               (13)  security officers and investigators commissioned
  as peace officers by the comptroller;
               (14)  officers commissioned by a water control and
  improvement district under Section 49.216, Water Code;
               (15)  officers commissioned by a board of trustees
  under Chapter 54, Transportation Code;
               (16)  investigators commissioned by the Texas Medical
  Board;
               (17)  officers commissioned by:
                     (A)  the board of managers of the Dallas County
  Hospital District, the Tarrant County Hospital District, the Bexar
  County Hospital District, or the El Paso County Hospital District
  under Section 281.057, Health and Safety Code;
                     (B)  the board of directors of the Ector County
  Hospital District under Section 1024.117, Special District Local
  Laws Code;
                     (C)  the board of directors of the Midland County
  Hospital District of Midland County, Texas, under Section 1061.121,
  Special District Local Laws Code; and
                     (D)  the board of hospital managers of the Lubbock
  County Hospital District of Lubbock County, Texas, under Section
  1053.113, Special District Local Laws Code;
               (18)  county park rangers commissioned under
  Subchapter E, Chapter 351, Local Government Code;
               (19)  investigators employed by the Texas Racing
  Commission;
               (20)  officers commissioned under Chapter 554,
  Occupations Code;
               (21)  officers commissioned by the governing body of a
  metropolitan rapid transit authority under Section 451.108,
  Transportation Code, or by a regional transportation authority
  under Section 452.110, Transportation Code;
               (22)  investigators commissioned by the attorney
  general under Section 402.009, Government Code;
               (23)  security officers and investigators commissioned
  as peace officers under Chapter 466, Government Code;
               (24)  officers appointed by an appellate court under
  Subchapter F, Chapter 53, Government Code;
               (25)  officers commissioned by the state fire marshal
  under Chapter 417, Government Code;
               (26)  an investigator commissioned by the commissioner
  of insurance under Section 701.104, Insurance Code;
               (27)  apprehension specialists and inspectors general
  commissioned by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department as officers
  under Sections 242.102 and 243.052, Human Resources Code;
               (28)  officers appointed by the inspector general of
  the Texas Department of Criminal Justice under Section 493.019,
  Government Code;
               (29)  investigators commissioned by the Texas
  Commission on Law Enforcement under Section 1701.160, Occupations
  Code;
               (30)  commission investigators commissioned by the
  Texas Private Security Board under Section 1702.061, Occupations
  Code;
               (31)  the fire marshal and any officers, inspectors, or
  investigators commissioned by an emergency services district under
  Chapter 775, Health and Safety Code;
               (32)  officers commissioned by the State Board of
  Dental Examiners under Section 254.013, Occupations Code, subject
  to the limitations imposed by that section;
               (33)  investigators commissioned by the Texas Juvenile
  Justice Department as officers under Section 221.011, Human
  Resources Code; and
               (34)  the fire marshal and any related officers,
  inspectors, or investigators commissioned by a county under
  Subchapter B, Chapter 352, Local Government Code.
         SECTION 2.02.  Section 411.002(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas is
  an agency of the state to enforce the laws protecting the public
  safety, [and] provide for the prevention and detection of crime,
  and defend and secure the state's air, maritime, and land borders.
  The department is composed of the Texas Rangers, the Texas Highway
  Patrol, the Border Protection Unit, the administrative division,
  and other divisions that the commission considers necessary.
         SECTION 2.03.  Section 411.004, Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 411.004.  DUTIES AND POWERS OF COMMISSION. The
  commission shall:
               (1)  formulate plans and policies for:
                     (A)  enforcement of state criminal, traffic, and
  safety laws;
                     (B)  prevention of crime;
                     (C)  detection and apprehension of persons who
  violate laws; [and]
                     (D)  education of citizens of this state in the
  promotion of public safety and the observance of law; and
                     (E)  defense and security of this state's air,
  maritime, and land borders;
               (2)  organize the department and supervise its
  operation;
               (3)  adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out
  the department's work;
               (4)  maintain records of all proceedings and official
  orders; and
               (5)  biennially submit a report of its work to the
  governor and legislature, including the commission's and director's
  recommendations.
         SECTION 2.04.  Section 411.006(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Subject to Section 411.555, the [The] director shall:
               (1)  be directly responsible to the commission for the
  conduct of and act as executive director of the Texas Highway
  Patrol, the Texas Rangers, and other administrative divisions and
  departments assigned by the commission, other than the Border
  Protection Unit [the department's affairs];
               (2)  [act as executive director of the department;
               [(3)]  act with the commission in an advisory capacity,
  without vote;
               (3) [(4)]  adopt rules, subject to commission
  approval, considered necessary for the control of the department;
               (4) [(5)]  issue commissions as law enforcement
  officers, under the commission's direction, to all members of the
  Texas Rangers and the Texas Highway Patrol and to other officers of
  the department;
               (5) [(6)]  appoint, with the advice and consent of the
  commission, the head of a division or bureau provided for by this
  chapter;
               (6) [(7)]  quarterly, annually, and biennially submit
  to the commission detailed reports of the operation of the
  department, including statements of its expenditures; and
               (7) [(8)]  prepare, swear to, submit to the governor,
  and file in the department's records a quarterly statement
  containing an itemized list of all money received and its source and
  all money spent and the purposes for which it was spent.
         SECTION 2.05.  Section 411.007(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the director
  may appoint, promote, reduce, suspend, or discharge any officer or
  employee of the department, other than an officer or employee of the
  Border Protection Unit.
         SECTION 2.06.  Section 411.017(a), Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person commits an offense if, without the director's
  authorization, the person:
               (1)  manufactures, sells, or possesses a badge,
  identification card, or other item bearing a department insignia or
  an insignia deceptively similar to the department's;
               (2)  makes a copy or likeness of a badge,
  identification card, or department insignia, with intent to use or
  allow another to use the copy or likeness to produce an item bearing
  the department insignia or an insignia deceptively similar to the
  department's; or
               (3)  uses the term "Texas Department of Public Safety,"
  "Department of Public Safety," "Texas Ranger," [or] "Texas Highway
  Patrol," or "Border Protection Unit" in connection with an object,
  with the intent to create the appearance that the object belongs to
  or is being used by the department.
         SECTION 2.07.  Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter S to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER S. BORDER PROTECTION UNIT
         Sec. 411.551.  DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:
               (1)  "Unit" means the Border Protection Unit.
               (2)  "Unit chief" means the person appointed under
  Section 411.554 as the unit chief.
         Sec. 411.552.  BORDER PROTECTION UNIT; TERM OF
  AUTHORIZATION.  (a)  The unit is a division under the commission
  consisting of the number of commissioned and noncommissioned
  officers and other employees authorized by the legislature.
         (b)  The unit is subject to appropriations by the legislature
  and, unless continued in existence by the legislature, is abolished
  December 31, 2030.
         (c)  This subchapter expires December 31, 2030.
         Sec. 411.553.  HEADQUARTERS. The unit must be headquartered
  in the border region.
         Sec. 411.554.  UNIT CHIEF. (a) The governor shall appoint a
  United States citizen to serve as the unit chief of the Border
  Protection Unit. The unit chief serves until removed by the
  governor.
         (b)  The unit chief may appoint, with the advice and consent
  of the commission, deputy unit chiefs and assistant unit chiefs who
  shall perform the duties that the unit chief designates. Deputy
  unit chiefs and assistant unit chiefs serve until removed by the
  unit chief.
         (c)  The unit chief, deputy unit chiefs, and assistant unit
  chiefs are entitled to annual salaries as provided by the
  legislature.
         Sec. 411.555.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF UNIT AND UNIT
  CHIEF. (a) The unit chief shall:
               (1)  be directly responsible to the commission for all
  conduct of the unit, but may be removed only by the governor under
  Section 411.554;
               (2)  act as the executive director of the unit;
               (3)  act with the commission in an advisory capacity,
  without vote;
               (4)  adopt rules, subject to commission approval,
  considered necessary for the control and general administration of
  the unit, including rules governing the procurement of facilities
  and equipment for the unit and the training and working conditions
  for unit personnel;
               (5)  issue commissions as law enforcement officers,
  under the commission's direction, to members of the unit;
               (6)  create as necessary, with the advice and consent
  of the commission, operational or administrative divisions within
  the unit and appoint heads of those divisions;
               (7)  employ as necessary commissioned and
  noncommissioned officers and other employees to perform unit
  operations and functions;
               (8)  quarterly, annually, and biennially submit to the
  commission detailed reports of the operation of the unit, including
  statements of its expenditures; and
               (9)  prepare, swear to, submit to the governor, and
  file in the unit's records a quarterly statement containing an
  itemized list of all money received and its source and all money
  spent and the purposes for which it was spent.
         (b)  The unit chief or unit chief's designee shall provide to
  members of the commission and to employees of the unit, as often as
  necessary, information regarding the requirements for office or
  employment under this chapter, including information regarding a
  person's responsibilities under applicable law relating to
  standards of conduct for state officers or employees.
         (c)  Subject to Subsection (d), the following provisions
  apply to the unit chief with respect to the unit in the same manner
  as the provisions apply to the director with respect to the
  department or, as applicable, apply to the unit when acting at the
  direction of the unit chief in the same manner as the provisions
  apply to the department when acting at the direction of the
  director:
               (1)  Section 411.007;
               (2)  Section 411.0071;
               (3)  Section 411.0075;
               (4)  Section 411.0079;
               (5)  Section 411.009;
               (6)  Section 411.0095;
               (7)  Section 411.0097, as added by Section 3, Chapter
  556 (H.B. 1239), Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session,
  2005;
               (8)  Section 411.0097, as added by Section 1, Chapter
  693 (S.B. 293), Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session,
  2005;
               (9)  Section 411.0098;
               (10)  Section 411.013(b);
               (11)  Section 411.0131;
               (12)  Section 411.0132;
               (13)  Section 411.0141(e);
               (14)  Section 411.015;
               (15)  Section 411.016;
               (16)  Section 411.0161;
               (17)  Section 411.0162;
               (18)  Section 411.0163;
               (19)  Section 411.0164;
               (20)  Section 411.017;
               (21)  Section 411.018;
               (22)  Sections 411.0207(c)(1)-(5);
               (23)  Sections 411.0208(d) and (e);
               (24)  Section 411.0209;
               (25)  Section 411.02095;
               (26)  Section 411.0865;
               (27)  Section 411.087(e);
               (28)  Section 411.0891; and
               (29)  Section 411.154.
         (d)  The director may not exercise any operational or
  administrative control over the unit chief or the unit. The unit
  chief may not exercise any operational or administrative control
  over the director or the department, other than the unit.
         (e)  The unit is a criminal justice agency for purposes of
  this chapter.
         (f)  The unit:
               (1)  may collect, preserve, ship, and analyze a DNA
  sample for the DNA database subject to the rules adopted under
  Section 411.146(c)(1); and
               (2)  is entitled to access or use a DNA sample or record
  subject to the rules adopted under Section 411.147(b).
         (g)  The unit is a law enforcement agency for purposes of
  Section 411.1471(b).
         (h)  The unit may assist local law enforcement with the
  investigation of crime.
         Sec. 411.556.  OFFICE OF AUDIT AND REVIEW FOR UNIT. The
  governor shall establish the office of audit and review within the
  unit and appoint the director of the office to perform the duties
  under Subchapter I with respect to the unit. The director of the
  office of audit and review of the unit shall serve until removed by
  the governor.
         Sec. 411.557.  INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR UNIT. (a)  The governor
  shall establish the office of the inspector general within the unit
  and appoint the inspector general of the unit who shall perform with
  respect to the unit the duties of Subchapter I-1 or as may be
  provided by other law. The inspector general of the unit shall serve
  until removed by the governor.
         (b)  The inspector general of the unit is responsible for:
               (1)  preparing and delivering assessments concerning
  the administration of the unit to the governor, the legislature,
  and the unit chief;
               (2)  acting to prevent and detect serious breaches of
  unit policy, fraud, and abuse of office, including any acts of
  criminal conduct within the unit; and
               (3)  independently and objectively reviewing,
  investigating, delegating, and overseeing the investigation of:
                     (A)  conduct described by Subdivision (2);
                     (B)  criminal activity occurring within the unit;
                     (C)  allegations of wrongdoing by unit employees;
                     (D)  crimes committed on unit property; and
                     (E)  serious breaches of unit policy.
         Sec. 411.558.  OFFICERS; OTHER EMPLOYEES.  (a)  The unit
  chief may employ commissioned or noncommissioned officers meeting
  the qualifications described by Section 411.561 to perform the
  duties of the unit. Those officers are entitled to compensation as
  provided by the legislature and must be recruited and trained
  within the border region to the extent practicable.
         (b)  The unit chief may employ individuals who are not
  officers as necessary to carry out the duties of the unit.
         (c)  Subject to the provisions of this chapter, the unit
  chief may appoint, promote, reduce, suspend, or discharge any
  officer or employee of the unit.
         Sec. 411.559.  AUTHORITY OF OFFICERS. (a) A commissioned
  officer of the unit is governed by the law regulating and defining
  the powers and duties of sheriffs performing similar duties, except
  that the officer may make arrests and execute processes in a
  criminal case in any county.
         (b)  Subject to Subsection (c), a commissioned or
  noncommissioned officer of the unit may, to the extent consistent
  with the United States and Texas Constitutions, arrest, apprehend,
  or detain persons crossing the Texas-Mexico border unlawfully, and
  deter persons attempting to cross the border unlawfully, including
  with the use of non-deadly crowd control measures.
         (c)  A noncommissioned officer may not exercise the
  authority provided by Subsection (b) unless specifically
  authorized by the commission and the governor and unless the
  officer has been provided training approved by the commission and
  the governor. A noncommissioned officer may exercise the arrest
  authority provided by Subsection (b) only if the authority is
  exercised in a county:
               (1)  contiguous with the Texas-Mexico border; or
               (2)  adjoining a county described by Subdivision (1).
         (d)  The commission shall develop or recognize a training
  program required by Subsection (c).
         Sec. 411.560.  DEFENSES TO CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY.
  Notwithstanding any other law, any defense or affirmative defense
  that applies to a peace officer in a civil or criminal action
  applies to the unit chief and the officers and other employees of
  the unit in a civil or criminal action brought against the unit
  chief or an officer or other employee of the unit arising from
  conduct engaged in while discharging the duties of the unit.
         Sec. 411.561.  QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS. (a)  To be a
  commissioned officer of the unit, a person must hold a peace officer
  license issued under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, and meet any
  other qualifications set by the commission.
         (b)  To be a noncommissioned officer of the unit, a person
  must be a United States citizen and meet any other qualifications
  set by the commission.
         (c)  A noncommissioned officer shall operate under the
  accountability requirements and standards of professional conduct
  set forth by the commission.
         (d)  The unit is an equal employment opportunity employer and
  may not discriminate against or give preferential treatment to any
  employee or job applicant on account of the individual's race,
  color, sex, national origin, or religion.
         Sec. 411.562.  FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT; TRAINING; TRANSFER
  FROM DEPARTMENT.  (a) The unit shall acquire equipment and
  facilities and conduct training necessary to fulfill the
  operational, intelligence, communication, logistics, and
  administrative duties provided by this chapter and the unit chief.
         (b)  The commission shall transfer existing personnel,
  equipment, and facilities to the unit from within the department as
  determined necessary by the commission or the governor, in the
  commission's or governor's discretion, while maintaining
  accountability and adequate support for all officers and activities
  within the commission's responsibility.
         Sec. 411.563.  CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF PHYSICAL
  BARRIERS. (a) The unit shall oversee the construction and
  maintenance of walls, fences, and other physical barriers along the
  Texas-Mexico border in order to enhance the safety and security of
  citizens of this state.
         (b)  The unit chief, or the unit chief's designee, is
  authorized to negotiate and acquire the necessary rights-of-way,
  leases, permissions, materials, and services needed to erect and
  maintain physical barriers.
         (c)  The unit may use funds appropriated by the legislature,
  other government funds, or donations from United States citizens
  and domestic entities.
         (d)  The commission may delegate authority granted under
  this section to another state agency.
         Sec. 411.564.  ARTICLE I, SECTION 10 INVOCATION. Pursuant to
  a legislative finding or a declaration by the governor that a state
  of invasion or imminent danger under Section 10, Article I, United
  States Constitution, exists, the unit chief and director may order
  personnel under their authority to take, and the personnel may
  take, the following actions to the extent consistent with the
  United States and Texas Constitutions:
               (1)  deter and repel persons attempting to enter this
  state unlawfully at locations other than ports of entry;
               (2)  return aliens to Mexico who:
                     (A)  have been observed actually crossing the
  Texas-Mexico border unlawfully; and
                     (B)  were apprehended, detained, or arrested in
  the vicinity of the Texas-Mexico border;
               (3)  enhance the examination of aircraft, ships,
  vehicles, railcars, and cargo at or near ports of entry for the
  purposes of interdicting fentanyl and other dangerous drugs and
  interdicting human smuggling; and
               (4)  use force to repel, arrest, and detain known
  transnational cartel operatives in the border region.
         Sec. 411.565.  OPERATIONAL PLAN TO COORDINATE BORDER
  SECURITY. (a) The unit shall develop and recommend to the governor
  and report to the legislature a strategic plan that establishes the
  framework for the budget and operations of the unit, including
  homeland security strategies and the assistance of other state and
  local entities. The unit shall annually report to the governor and
  the legislature on the implementation of the strategic plan.
         (b)  The unit shall include in the strategic plan goals,
  objectives, and performance measures that involve collaboration
  with other state agencies and local entities.
         (c)  The unit shall create plans and conduct operations
  consistent with the strategic plan.
         (d)  The operational plan under this section must include an
  evaluation of 8 U.S.C. Section 1325(a) and other federal laws
  relating to the requirement that border crossings occur only at
  designated ports of entry.
         Sec. 411.566.  SEVERABILITY. (a) Mindful of Leavitt v. Jane
  L., 518 U.S. 137 (1996), in which in the context of determining the , 518 U.S. 137 (1996), in which in the context of determining the
  severability of a state statute the Supreme Court of the United
  States held that an explicit statement of legislative intent is
  controlling, it is the intent of the legislature that every
  provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word
  in this subchapter, and every application of the provisions in this
  subchapter to every person, group of persons, or circumstances, are
  severable from each other.
         (b)  If any application of any provision in this subchapter
  to any person, group of persons, or circumstances is found by a
  court to be invalid, preempted, or unconstitutional, for any reason
  whatsoever, then the remaining applications of that provision to
  all other persons and circumstances shall be severed and preserved,
  and shall remain in effect. All constitutionally valid
  applications of the provisions in this subchapter shall be severed
  from any applications that a court finds to be invalid, preempted,
  or unconstitutional, because it is the legislature's intent and
  priority that every single valid application of every statutory
  provision be allowed to stand alone.
         (c)  The legislature further declares that it would have
  enacted this subchapter, and each provision, section, subsection,
  sentence, clause, phrase, or word, and all constitutional
  applications of the provisions of this subchapter, irrespective of
  the fact that any provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause,
  phrase, or word, or applications of this subchapter were to be
  declared invalid, preempted, or unconstitutional.
         (d)  If any provision of this subchapter is found by any
  court to be unconstitutionally vague, then the applications of that
  provision that do not present constitutional vagueness problems
  shall be severed and remain in force, consistent with the
  severability requirements of Subsections (a), (b), and (c).
         (e)  No court may decline to enforce the severability
  requirements of Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) on the ground
  that severance would "rewrite" the statute or involve the court in
  legislative or lawmaking activity. A court that declines to
  enforce or enjoins a state official from enforcing a statutory
  provision is never rewriting a statute or engaging in legislative
  or lawmaking activity, as the statute continues to contain the same
  words as before the court's decision. A judicial injunction or
  declaration of unconstitutionality:
               (1)  is nothing more than an edict prohibiting
  enforcement of the disputed statute against the named parties to
  that lawsuit, which may subsequently be vacated by a later court if
  that court has a different understanding of the requirements of the
  Texas Constitution or the United States Constitution or federal
  law;
               (2)  is not a formal amendment of the language in a
  statute; and
               (3)  no more rewrites a statute than a decision by the
  executive not to enforce a duly enacted statute in a limited and
  defined set of circumstances.
         (f)  If any state or federal court disregards any of the
  severability requirements in Subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), or
  (e), and declares or finds any provision of this subchapter
  facially invalid, preempted, or unconstitutional, when there are
  discrete applications of that provision that can be enforced
  against a person, group of persons, or circumstances without
  violating federal law or the federal or state constitutions, then
  that provision shall be interpreted, as a matter of state law, as if
  the legislature had enacted a provision limited to the persons,
  group of persons, or circumstances for which the provision's
  application will not violate federal law or the federal or state
  constitutions, and every court shall adopt this saving construction
  of that provision until the court ruling that pronounced the
  provision facially invalid, preempted, or unconstitutional is
  vacated or overruled.
         SECTION 2.08.  As soon as practicable after the effective
  date of this Act, the governor shall appoint the unit chief as
  prescribed by Section 411.554, Government Code, as added by this
  Act.
  ARTICLE 3. TRESPASS: CIVIL AND CRIMINAL PENALTIES
         SECTION 3.01.  Article 17.44, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  A magistrate shall require as a condition of release
  on bond for a defendant arrested for an offense under Section 30.08,
  Penal Code, that the defendant submit to electronic monitoring
  unless the magistrate finds that the defendant is not a flight risk.
         SECTION 3.02.  Chapter 752, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER D. ENFORCEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL
         Sec. 752.101.  CIVIL PENALTY: TRESPASS WHILE ENTERING THIS
  STATE.  (a)  A person who engages in conduct constituting an
  offense under Section 30.08, Penal Code, is liable to this state for
  a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each
  occurrence of the conduct.
         (b)  The attorney general may bring an action to collect the
  civil penalty and may recover attorney's fees and costs incurred in
  bringing the action.
         SECTION 3.03.  Chapter 30, Penal Code, is amended by adding
  Section 30.08 to read as follows:
         Sec. 30.08.  TRESPASS WHILE ENTERING THIS STATE. (a) A
  person commits an offense if the person knowingly enters the
  property of another, without the effective consent of the owner,
  while knowingly entering this state from any neighboring
  jurisdiction, regardless of the person's immigration status.
         (b)  An offense under this section is a felony of the third
  degree.
         (c)  If conduct that constitutes an offense under this
  section also constitutes an offense under another law, the actor
  may be prosecuted under this section, the other law, or both.
  ARTICLE 4. PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY
         SECTION 4.01.  Subtitle D, Title 2, Health and Safety Code,
  is amended by adding Chapter 81B to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 81B.  SUSPENSION OF ENTRY OF PERSONS FROM DESIGNATED PLACES
  TO PREVENT SPREAD OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
         Sec. 81B.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
               (1)  "COVID-19" means the 2019 novel coronavirus
  disease.
               (2)  "Federally declared public health emergency"
  means:
                     (A)  a public health emergency declared by the
  United States secretary of health and human services under 42
  U.S.C. Section 247d; or
                     (B)  an emergency or disaster declared, including
  under a renewal of the declaration, by the president of the United
  States in relation to a public health emergency described by
  Paragraph (A) under:
                           (i)  the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C.
  Section 1601 et seq.); or
                           (ii)  the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief
  and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Section 5121 et seq.).
               (3)  "Person" means any individual other than one
  described by:
                     (A)  the first sentence of Section 1 of the
  Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution; or
                     (B)  8 U.S.C. Section 1101(a)(20).
               (4)  "Port of entry" means a port of entry described by
  Part 101, Title 19, Code of Federal Regulations (19 C.F.R. part
  101), or 22 C.F.R. Section 40.1.
         Sec. 81B.002.  SUSPENSION OF ENTRY.  (a)  To the extent
  consistent with the United States Constitution, all persons
  entering this state by land from another country must pass through a
  port of entry for appropriate medical review during:
               (1)  the pendency of any federally declared public
  health emergency for COVID-19;
               (2)  any time that a federal agency has in place any
  vaccination requirement for any person lawfully residing in the
  United States, including government contractors or health care
  workers, for the purposes of preventing the spread of COVID-19 in
  the United States; or
               (3)  any time the United States Department of State has
  in place any travel warning related to COVID-19 for any country from
  which citizens have unlawfully entered the United States during the
  most recent year for which there is available data.
         (b)  A person who enters this state from a foreign country
  other than in accordance with Subsection (a), to the extent
  consistent with the United States Constitution, shall be removed to
  the country from which they entered the United States, their
  country of origin, or another location as practicable, as rapidly
  as possible with as little time spent in congregate settings as
  practicable under the circumstances.
         Sec. 81B.003.  SEVERABILITY. (a) Mindful of Leavitt v. Jane
  L., 518 U.S. 137 (1996), in which in the context of determining the , 518 U.S. 137 (1996), in which in the context of determining the
  severability of a state statute the Supreme Court of the United
  States held that an explicit statement of legislative intent is
  controlling, it is the intent of the legislature that every
  provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, or word
  in this chapter, and every application of the provisions in this
  chapter to every person, group of persons, or circumstances, are
  severable from each other.
         (b)  If any application of any provision in this chapter to
  any person, group of persons, or circumstances is found by a court
  to be invalid, preempted, or unconstitutional, for any reason
  whatsoever, then the remaining applications of that provision to
  all other persons and circumstances shall be severed and preserved,
  and shall remain in effect. All constitutionally valid
  applications of the provisions in this chapter shall be severed
  from any applications that a court finds to be invalid, preempted,
  or unconstitutional, because it is the legislature's intent and
  priority that every single valid application of every statutory
  provision be allowed to stand alone.
         (c)  The legislature further declares that it would have
  enacted this chapter, and each provision, section, subsection,
  sentence, clause, phrase, or word, and all constitutional
  applications of the provisions of this chapter, irrespective of the
  fact that any provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause,
  phrase, or word, or applications of this chapter were to be declared
  invalid, preempted, or unconstitutional.
         (d)  If any provision of this chapter is found by any court to
  be unconstitutionally vague, then the applications of that
  provision that do not present constitutional vagueness problems
  shall be severed and remain in force, consistent with the
  severability requirements of Subsections (a), (b), and (c).
         (e)  No court may decline to enforce the severability
  requirements of Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) on the ground
  that severance would "rewrite" the statute or involve the court in
  legislative or lawmaking activity. A court that declines to
  enforce or enjoins a state official from enforcing a statutory
  provision is never rewriting a statute or engaging in legislative
  or lawmaking activity, as the statute continues to contain the same
  words as before the court's decision. A judicial injunction or
  declaration of unconstitutionality:
               (1)  is nothing more than an edict prohibiting
  enforcement of the disputed statute against the named parties to
  that lawsuit, which may subsequently be vacated by a later court if
  that court has a different understanding of the requirements of the
  Texas Constitution or the United States Constitution or federal
  law;
               (2)  is not a formal amendment of the language in a
  statute; and
               (3)  no more rewrites a statute than a decision by the
  executive not to enforce a duly enacted statute in a limited and
  defined set of circumstances.
         (f)  If any state or federal court disregards any of the
  severability requirements in Subsections (a), (b), (c), (d), or
  (e), and declares or finds any provision of this chapter facially
  invalid, preempted, or unconstitutional, when there are discrete
  applications of that provision that can be enforced against a
  person, group of persons, or circumstances without violating
  federal law or the federal or state constitutions, then that
  provision shall be interpreted, as a matter of state law, as if the
  legislature had enacted a provision limited to the persons, group
  of persons, or circumstances for which the provision's application
  will not violate federal law or the federal or state constitutions,
  and every court shall adopt this saving construction of that
  provision until the court ruling that pronounced the provision
  facially invalid, preempted, or unconstitutional is vacated or
  overruled.
  ARTICLE 5. LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT
         SECTION 5.01.  Subtitle C, Title 3, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 330 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 330. LEGISLATIVE BORDER SAFETY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
         Sec. 330.001.  DEFINITION. In this section, "committee"
  means the legislative border safety oversight committee
  established under this chapter.
         Sec. 330.002.  ESTABLISHMENT; COMPOSITION. (a) The
  legislative border safety oversight committee is established to:
               (1)  provide objective research, analysis, and
  recommendations to help guide state border safety policies;
               (2)  provide oversight for the Border Protection Unit
  established under Subchapter S, Chapter 411; and
               (3)  perform other duties required by law.
         (b)  The committee consists of the following members:
               (1)  the lieutenant governor;
               (2)  the speaker of the house of representatives;
               (3)  four senators appointed by the lieutenant
  governor; and
               (4)  four members of the house of representatives
  appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.
         (c)  The lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house of
  representatives are joint chairs of the committee.
         Sec. 330.003.  POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The committee shall:
               (1)  use statistical analyses and other research
  methods to conduct an in-depth examination of border safety
  initiatives and programs in this state that includes:
                     (A)  an assessment of the cost-effectiveness of
  the use of state and local funds in ensuring border safety;
                     (B)  an identification of critical border safety
  problems; and
                     (C)  a determination of the state's long-range
  border safety needs;
               (2)  recommend to the legislature:
                     (A)  strategies to solve the problems identified
  under Subdivision (1)(B); and
                     (B)  policy priorities to address the long-range
  needs determined under Subdivision (1)(C); and
               (3)  advise and assist the legislature in developing
  plans, programs, and proposed legislation to improve the
  effectiveness of border safety initiatives and programs.
         (b)  The committee has all other powers and duties provided
  to a special committee by:
               (1)  Subchapter B, Chapter 301;
               (2)  the rules of the senate and the house of
  representatives; and
               (3)  policies of the senate and house committees on
  administration.
         Sec. 330.004.  MEETINGS; QUORUM.  (a)  A majority of the
  members of the committee from each house of the legislature
  constitutes a quorum to transact business. If a quorum is present,
  the committee may act on any matter within the committee's
  jurisdiction by a majority vote.
         (b)  The committee shall meet as often as necessary to
  perform the committee's duties. Meetings may be held at any time at
  the request of either chair or on written petition of a majority of
  the committee members from each house of the legislature.
         (c)  The committee shall meet in the city of Austin, except
  that if a majority of the committee members from each house of the
  legislature agree, the committee may meet in any location
  determined by the committee.
         (d)  As an exception to Chapter 551 and other law, for a
  meeting in the city of Austin at which both joint chairs of the
  committee are physically present, any number of the other committee
  members may attend the meeting by use of telephone conference call,
  videoconference call, or other similar technology. This subsection
  applies for purposes of establishing a quorum or voting or any other
  purpose allowing the members to fully participate in any committee
  meeting. This subsection applies without regard to the subject or
  topics considered by the members at the meeting.
         (e)  A committee meeting held by use of telephone conference
  call, videoconference call, or other similar technology:
               (1)  is subject to the notice requirements applicable
  to other meetings;
               (2)  must specify in the notice of the meeting the
  location in the city of Austin at which the joint chairs will be
  physically present;
               (3)  must be open to the public and audible to the
  public at the location specified in the notice under Subdivision
  (2); and
               (4)  must provide two-way audio communication between
  all committee members attending the meeting during the entire
  meeting, and if the two-way audio communication link with any
  member attending the meeting is disrupted at any time, the meeting
  may not continue until the two-way audio communication link is
  reestablished.
         Sec. 330.005.  STAFF; AUTHORITY TO CONTRACT. The committee
  may hire staff or may contract with universities or other suitable
  entities to assist the committee in carrying out the committee's
  duties. Funding to support the operation of the committee shall be
  provided from funds appropriated to the Texas Legislative Council.
         Sec. 330.006.  REPORT. Not later than January 1 of each
  odd-numbered year, the committee shall submit to the legislature a
  report that contains the recommendations described by Section
  330.003(a)(2).
  ARTICLE 6. SEVERABILITY; EFFECTIVE DATE
         SECTION 6.01.  (a) If any provision of this Act or its
  application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the
  invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this
  Act that can be given effect without the invalid provision or
  application, and to this end the provisions of this Act are declared
  to be severable.
         (b)  Subsection (a) of this section does not affect another
  severability provision contained in this Act.
         SECTION 6.02.  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 September 1, 2023.