84R10988 DDT-D By: Blanco H.B. No. 3771 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to a study on the effectiveness of Operation Strong Safety. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. STUDY OF OPERATION STRONG SAFETY. The Homeland Security Council shall conduct a study to evaluate the effectiveness of Operation Strong Safety. SECTION 2. SCOPE OF STUDY. (a) The study must: (1) evaluate how effectively state financial resources were used to address the threat of drug cartel crime along the international border during the operation; (2) evaluate how effectively state financial resources are currently being used to address the threat of drug cartel crime along the international border; (3) compare the estimated amount of controlled substances illegally transported across the border during Operation Strong Safety with the amount of controlled substances illegally transported across the border during a comparable period immediately before the date the operation began; and (4) compare the estimated number of firearms illegally transported across the border during Operation Strong Safety with the estimated number of firearms illegally transported across the border during a comparable period immediately before the date the operation began. (b) In conducting the study, the Homeland Security Council shall solicit input from and collaborate with: (1) local law enforcement agencies and officials, including county sheriffs' departments and local police departments, on the best practices for improving state efforts to combat drug and firearms trafficking; and (2) to the extent feasible, the United States Border Patrol. SECTION 3. REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) The Homeland Security Council shall issue a written report to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives that includes the council's findings. (b) The report must be issued not later than November 30, 2016. SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 1, 2016. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.