Texas House Bill HB310

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 11/17/14

Caption

Relating to the cost of confinement and imprisonment of persons not lawfully present in the United States and reimbursement from the federal government for that cost.

Impact

In essence, the bill seeks to hold the federal government accountable for reimbursing Texas for expenses incurred due to the imprisonment of individuals who are not in compliance with immigration laws. By requiring annual cost assessments and formal requests for reimbursement, the bill positions Texas to potentially recover significant funds spent on incarcerating non-citizens, which can be redirected to other critical areas in the state budget.

Summary

House Bill 310 addresses the financial aspects associated with the confinement and imprisonment of individuals not lawfully present in the United States. This legislation mandates the Texas Comptroller to calculate the total costs incurred by the state and counties for such confinement at the end of each fiscal year. This requirement aims to ensure that the financial burden of detaining undocumented individuals is accurately accounted for and addressed.

Contention

The discussions around HB 310 may have faced contention regarding the ethics and practicality of detaining individuals not lawfully present in the country. Proponents may argue that it is essential to recoup costs that the state unjustly bears due to federal immigration policies. However, opponents might raise concerns about the implications of such a bill on local communities, suggesting that it could lead to increased crime rates and a strain on local resources if individuals feel discouraged from seeking police assistance due to fears of deportation.