H.B. No. 5580 proposes amendments to the Government Code by adding Subchapter D, which establishes requirements for agreements between county sheriffs and the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to enforce federal immigration law. Specifically, sheriffs in counties with populations of 100,000 or more are mandated to 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 until one is granted.

The bill also introduces a grant program administered by the comptroller to support sheriffs in counties with populations under one million who enter into these agreements. Eligible sheriffs can apply for grants to cover costs associated with their participation, and the comptroller is tasked with ensuring fair distribution of funds based on county population. Furthermore, the bill mandates annual reporting by sheriffs on their activities related to the agreements and allows the attorney general to take action against sheriffs who fail to comply with the new requirements. 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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