Texas House Bill HCR57

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Requesting the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house to create a joint interim committee to study human trafficking in Texas.

Impact

The resolution requests the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house to establish a joint interim committee tasked with studying the problem of human trafficking within the state. The committee's formation is intended to assess the current landscape, identify challenges, and explore effective strategies to combat human trafficking. It underscores the importance of legislative oversight and collaboration between legislative leaders to develop effective solutions that can lead to better protections for victims and stronger preventive measures against trafficking activities.

Summary

HCR57 is a concurrent resolution that addresses the critical issue of human trafficking in Texas. It acknowledges human trafficking as a severe and escalating concern in the United States, particularly emphasizing its prevalence in Texas, which serves as a major entry point for traffickers. The resolution identifies human trafficking as a multibillion-dollar enterprise, second only to drug trafficking, and outlines the necessity for a comprehensive approach to combat this modern-day form of slavery. As Texas is highlighted for its demographics and geographic position that make it vulnerable to trafficking activities, the resolution calls for urgent action.

Contention

While there is a consensus on the necessity to address human trafficking, the establishment of such a committee may bring various points of contention depending on the proposed methods and resources evaluated. Discussions could arise regarding funding allocations, potential legislative changes, and the prioritization of different areas of trafficking, such as labor versus sex trafficking. The outcomes from this committee's study are expected to influence future legislative approaches, and it remains critical that the findings reflect community and stakeholder input to ensure comprehensive and effective policies are developed for the state.