Bill > HB1543

This bill requires the Texas Attorney General to seek reimbursement from the federal government for state border security expenses every two years. Specifically, the Attorney General must calculate the total amount spent on border security during the previous state fiscal biennium, prepare an invoice for that amount, and submit it to an appropriate federal agency within 30 days of the start of each new biennium. The invoice must specify a payment deadline between six and eight months from submission. If the federal government pays the invoice on time, the funds will be deposited into the state's general revenue fund. If the invoice is not paid by the due date, the Attorney General is required to file a lawsuit to recover the funds. For the specific biennium ending August 31, 2025, the bill sets a slightly different timeline, with the invoice to be submitted by March 1, 2026, and limits the recoverable amount to either the total border security expenses from September 1, 2001, to August 31, 2025, or $20 billion, whichever is less. The bill would take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas Legislature, otherwise it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1543