Texas House Bill HB608

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/28/11
• Introduced: 1/12/11
• Refer: 2/18/11
• Report Pass: 4/20/11

Caption

Relating to state agency reports on the cost of services and benefits provided to undocumented immigrants.

Impact

The introduction of HB 608 could significantly impact state laws related to public service provisions. By mandating that agencies monitor and report costs associated with undocumented immigrants, the bill seeks to clarify the financial burden these individuals may impose on public resources. This may lead to changes in how state agencies allocate funds and determine eligibility for services, possibly resulting in stricter eligibility criteria for public benefits. Furthermore, this legislation could influence broader immigration policies as the information aggregated might be used to argue for or against specific legislative changes concerning undocumented residents.

Summary

House Bill 608 aims to establish a framework for state agencies to report on the costs associated with services and benefits provided to undocumented immigrants. Under this bill, each state agency is required to submit an annual report to the comptroller detailing these costs. The comptroller will then compile this information into a biennial report to the legislature, which will assess the financial implications of undocumented immigrants on the state's economy and budget. This initiative is designed not only to gather relevant data but also to inform legislative decisions regarding immigration and public resource allocation.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding HB 608 involves the potential implications for privacy and the ethical considerations of tracking undocumented immigrants for state financial reporting. Critics may argue that the bill could foster a climate of fear and discourage individuals from seeking necessary services due to concerns over being identified as undocumented, potentially undermining public health and welfare objectives. Furthermore, the bill's reliance on statistical methods to estimate costs might be viewed as an inadequate substitute for more direct and comprehensive assessments, leading to disputes about the accuracy and fairness of the reported data.