H.B. No. 5580 proposes amendments to the Government Code by adding Subchapter D, which establishes regulations for agreements between county sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce federal immigration law. The bill mandates that sheriffs in counties with populations of 100,000 or more must request and enter into written agreements with ICE under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, while sheriffs in smaller counties may do so at their discretion. The agreements must outline the scope, duration, and limitations of the enforcement authority, and sheriffs are required to allocate necessary resources for implementation. Additionally, sheriffs who do not receive an agreement must make annual requests to enter into one.

The bill also introduces a grant program administered by the comptroller to support sheriffs in counties participating in these agreements. Eligible sheriffs can apply for grants to cover costs associated with the agreements, and the comptroller is tasked with ensuring fair distribution of funds based on county population. Furthermore, sheriffs must submit annual reports detailing their activities and expenditures related to the agreements, while the comptroller and attorney general will prepare a comprehensive report on participation and enforcement actions. The attorney general is granted the authority to take legal action against sheriffs who fail to comply with the new regulations. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, with compliance required by December 1, 2026, for larger counties.

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