Bill > HB1491

This bill requires county commissioners courts in Texas to request and enter into a written agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows local law enforcement to be authorized to enforce federal immigration law. The agreement must specify the scope, duration, and limitations of the authority granted. If a county fails to comply, the state attorney general can bring an injunctive action in Travis County district court and potentially recover legal expenses. As a penalty for non-compliance, the county will be denied state grant funds for the following fiscal year. The bill mandates that the comptroller establish uniform rules for implementing these grant fund restrictions. Counties are required to comply with this new requirement as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date, which will be either immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature or on September 1, 2025, if the immediate vote threshold is not met. The bill aims to increase local participation in federal immigration law enforcement by creating a mandatory process for counties to engage with ICE through 287(g) agreements.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1491