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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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Relating to the deposit of federal reimbursements for border |
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security operations into the general revenue fund and the funding |
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of services and programs in the border region. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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ARTICLE 1. USE OF FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR BORDER SECURITY |
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OPERATIONS |
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SECTION 1.01. Section 403.093, Government Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds |
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received by the state as reimbursement from the federal government |
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for costs associated with any border security operations or |
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expenditures since fiscal year 2008, shall be deposited into the |
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general revenue fund. |
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(g) Funds deposited under subsection (f) shall be used |
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solely for the purpose of projects qualified under Sec. 421.112, |
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Government Code in counties located within 45 miles from the |
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Texas-Mexico border. |
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ARTICLE 2. GRANT PROGRAM FOR THE BORDER REGION |
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SECTION 2.01. Chapter 421, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter G to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER G. GRANT PROGRAMS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE, FACILITIES, |
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EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES IN THE BORDER REGION |
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Sec. 421.111. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Border region" means a county located within 45 |
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miles from the Texas-Mexico border. |
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(3) "Local government" means a municipality, county, |
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special purpose district, or other political subdivision of this |
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state. |
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Sec. 421.112. GRANTS PROGRAMS. The comptroller shall |
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administer grant programs to award funds to local governments or |
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entities in the border region for: |
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(1) infrastructure, technology, and equipment to |
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enhance security and public safety; |
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(2) facilities related to law enforcement, |
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prosecution, and adjudication; and |
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(3) other projects or initiatives necessary for the |
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region's security and economic development. |
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Sec. 421.113. FEDERAL FUNDS; GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS. |
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In addition to other funds appropriated by this act and for purposes |
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of administering and funding the grant programs established under |
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Section 421.112, the comptroller may: |
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(1) seek and apply for any available federal funds; |
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and |
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(2) solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations |
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from any other source, public or private, as necessary to ensure |
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effective implementation of the programs. |
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Sec. 421.114. RULES. (a) The comptroller shall adopt rules |
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for the administration of this subchapter. |
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(b) In adopting the rules, the comptroller shall solicit |
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from public officials and community leaders in the border region |
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and any other interested stakeholders information necessary to |
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identify the greatest needs for financial assistance in that |
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region. |
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(c) In adopting rules that relate to the grant programs |
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established under Section 421.112, the comptroller shall consult |
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federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, and private |
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entities with the relevant knowledge and expertise. |
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(d) The rules must include: |
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(1) administrative provisions for grants awarded |
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under this subchapter, including: |
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(A) eligibility criteria for grant applicants; |
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(B) grant application procedures; |
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(C) guidelines relating to grant amounts; |
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(D) procedures for evaluating grant |
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applications; |
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(E) procedures for monitoring the use of grants; |
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and |
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(F) procedures for re-awarding of a grant due to |
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technical error. |
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(2) methods for tracking the effectiveness of grants; |
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and |
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(3) provisions for donations to the grant program |
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established under Section 421.112. |
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Sec. 421.115. GRANT AMOUNTS. The amount of a grant awarded |
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under this subchapter may not exceed the amount set by the General |
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Appropriations Act. |
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Sec. 421.116. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The recipient of a |
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grant awarded under this subchapter shall submit to the comptroller |
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an annual report on the grant money spent during the year covered by |
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the report and the purposes for which that money was spent. |
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Sec. 421.117. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. Unless otherwise |
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provided by the appropriation, the comptroller may use a reasonable |
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amount, not to exceed five percent, of any general revenue |
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appropriated for purposes of this subchapter to pay the costs of |
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administering this subchapter. |
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ARTICLE 3. EFFECTIVE DATE |
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SECTION 3.01. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |