88(4) HB 87 - Introduced version - Bill Text
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to border protection and economic development services, |
 
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programs, and other measures, including establishing educational |
 
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programs and the border protection unit, in this state to address |
 
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certain issues affecting the border region, including |
 
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transnational and other criminal activity and public health |
 
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threats. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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ARTICLE 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDING |
 
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             SECTION  1.01.    The legislature, acting with the governor, |
 
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has the solemn duty to protect and defend the citizens of this state |
 
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and maintain sovereignty over this state's borders. |
 
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ARTICLE 2. BORDER PROTECTION AGREEMENTS |
 
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             SECTION  2.01.    Title 7, Government Code, is amended by |
 
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adding Chapter 795 to read as follows: |
 
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CHAPTER 795. BORDER PROTECTION AGREEMENTS WITH UNITED MEXICAN |
 
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STATES |
 
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             Sec.  795.001.    AUTHORITY FOR AGREEMENTS. On behalf of this |
 
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state, the governor may coordinate, develop, and execute agreements |
 
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with the United Mexican States and the states of the United Mexican |
 
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States regarding the authority of this state to protect and defend |
 
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its citizens. |
 
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ARTICLE 3. BORDER REGION COURT PROGRAM |
 
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             SECTION  3.01.    Chapter 72, Government Code, is amended by |
 
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adding Subchapter H to read as follows: |
 
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SUBCHAPTER H. BORDER PROTECTION COURT GRANT PROGRAM |
 
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             Sec.  72.201.    DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
 
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                         (1)    "Border-related offense" means an offense: |
 
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                                     (A)    associated with or involving: |
 
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                                                 (i)    a person unlawfully entering or |
 
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attempting to enter this state by crossing the Texas-Mexico border |
 
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at any place other than at a port of entry; |
 
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                                                 (ii)    the smuggling of individuals or |
 
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contraband across the Texas-Mexico border; or |
 
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                                                 (iii)    an operative of a transnational |
 
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cartel; |
 
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                                     (B)    similar to an offense described by Paragraph |
 
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(A) that the office by rule defines as a border-related offense for |
 
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purposes of this subchapter; or |
 
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                                     (C)    for which the office has determined |
 
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prosecutions have significantly increased as a result of Operation |
 
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Lone Star. |
 
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                         (2)    "Border region" has the meaning assigned by |
 
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Section 772.0071. |
 
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             Sec.  72.202.    GRANT PROGRAM. (a) From money appropriated |
 
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for that purpose, the office shall establish and administer a grant |
 
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program to support the operation of courts in the border region with |
 
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the adjudication of border-related offenses. |
 
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             (b)    In addition to other funds appropriated by the |
 
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legislature and for purposes of administering and funding the grant |
 
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program, the office may: |
 
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                         (1)    seek and apply for any available federal funds; |
 
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and |
 
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                         (2)    solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations |
 
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from any other source, public or private, as necessary to ensure |
 
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resources are available to achieve the purpose described by |
 
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Subsection (a). |
 
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             (c)    The grants awarded under this subchapter may be used for |
 
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the reimbursement of costs associated with the operation of a |
 
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court, including the: |
 
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                         (1)    salary of a visiting judge appointed under Chapter |
 
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74; |
 
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                         (2)    salary and benefits of an associate judge, court |
 
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coordinator, court administrator, court reporter, and court |
 
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interpreter; |
 
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                         (3)    salary and benefits of district and county clerk |
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