The bill, S.B. No. 136, amends Chapter 794 of the Government Code to establish new provisions for interstate compacts related to border security. It introduces a definition for "illegal alien," specifying that it refers to individuals who are not U.S. citizens or nationals and are unlawfully present in the country, as defined by federal law. Additionally, the bill outlines specific provisions that must be included in any interstate compact, such as sharing law enforcement intelligence, resources for building physical barriers or surveillance systems, and ensuring operational control of the Texas-Mexico border through the detection and apprehension of illegal aliens.

Furthermore, the bill expands the responsibilities of the compacting states to include enforcing federal immigration laws and providing mutual support for necessary resources to achieve the compact's objectives. Notably, it removes a previous provision regarding sharing law enforcement resources for personnel and property protection. The changes will only apply to interstate compacts entered into after the bill's effective date, while those established prior will continue to be governed by the law in effect at that time. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses or on September 1, 2025, if that threshold is not met.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 794.003 (Government Code 794)