The bill amends Chapter 56C of the Code of Criminal Procedure to establish a Border Crime Property Damage Compensation Program, which aims to provide financial compensation to landowners and lessees who suffer damage to agricultural land, livestock, timber, or crops due to border crimes. The definition of "border crime" is expanded to include specific offenses under the Penal Code and transnational criminal activity. The attorney general is tasked with administering the program, which will be funded through various sources, including legislative appropriations and federal grants. The bill also outlines the criteria for eligibility, application procedures, and compensation limits, with a maximum award of $75,000 per incident, and specific caps for damages related to livestock, timber, or crops.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the confidentiality of information related to crime victims or claimants, ensuring that personal details remain protected. It specifies that the program will act as a payer of last resort for property damage claims and prohibits insurers from considering claims related to incidents documented under the new compensation program when setting rates. The bill also repeals a previous article related to landowner compensation and clarifies that the new provisions will apply only to offenses occurring on or after the effective date of the act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 544.553 (Insurance Code 544)
House Committee Report: Government Code 552.132, Insurance Code 2251.052 (Government Code 552, Insurance Code 2251, Insurance Code 544)