H.B. No. 5082 amends the Local Government Code to enhance municipal and county enforcement of drug laws and introduces civil penalties for non-compliance. Key amendments include the addition of Sections 9.0046 and 51.0021, which prohibit municipalities from holding elections or adopting policies that violate state or federal drug laws, specifically Section 370.003. The bill also establishes a new Section 370.002, allowing citizens to file complaints with the attorney general regarding violations of drug law enforcement, and outlines the attorney general's authority to seek equitable relief against entities found in violation.

Furthermore, Section 370.003 is revised to clarify that municipalities and counties cannot adopt policies that fail to fully enforce drug laws, with civil penalties set at a minimum of $25,000 for the first violation and $50,000 for subsequent violations. The bill also stipulates that each day of continued violation constitutes a separate offense, and penalties collected will be directed to the compensation fund for victims of crime. The act 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: Local Government Code 9.003, Local Government Code 9.004, Local Government Code 370.003 (Local Government Code 9, Local Government Code 370)