88R8751 JRR-D
 
  By: Allison H.B. No. 2038
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the use of proceeds from the sale of forfeited property
  to reimburse persons who suffered agricultural property damage as a
  result of an offense involving the unlawful entry into the United
  States.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 59.06, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Subsection (v) to read as follows:
         (v)  As a specific exception to Subsection (c)(1), the office
  of the attorney representing the state may use proceeds received
  under this chapter for the purpose of providing reimbursements
  under a program established by the office under Article 59.15.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 59, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Article 59.15 to read as follows:
         Art. 59.15.  REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR AGRICULTURAL
  PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM OFFENSE INVOLVING UNLAWFUL ENTRY
  INTO UNITED STATES. (a)  This section applies only to an office of
  an attorney representing the state that:
               (1)  has executed a local agreement with law
  enforcement agencies under this chapter; and
               (2)  is located in a county that borders the United
  Mexican States. 
         (b)  Each office of an attorney representing the state to
  which this section applies shall:
               (1)  establish and administer a program to reimburse
  persons who suffered damage to agricultural property as a result of
  an offense that:
                     (A)  is subject to the jurisdiction of the office;
  and
                     (B)  was committed in the course of or for the
  purpose of unlawfully entering the United States;
               (2)  establish:
                     (A)  eligibility criteria for reimbursements
  under Subdivision (1);
                     (B)  reimbursement application procedures; and
                     (C)  procedures for evaluating reimbursement
  applications; and
               (3)  use proceeds received by the office under this
  chapter for the purpose of providing reimbursements under
  Subdivision (1).
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.