Texas House Bill HB1543

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 12/9/24

Caption

Relating to the recovery by the attorney general from the federal government of certain border security expenditures.

Impact

If enacted, HB 1543 would significantly impact state laws concerning fiscal management and the financial relationship between state and federal governments. The bill includes provisions for the Legislative Budget Board to assist the Attorney General in identifying expenditures, ensuring a collaborative approach to budgeting and financial reporting. Moreover, should the federal agency fail to pay the submitted invoices on time, the Attorney General is authorized to initiate legal action to recover the owed funds, thereby enhancing enforcement mechanisms within Texas legislation.

Summary

House Bill 1543 seeks to amend the Government Code to facilitate the recovery of certain border security expenditures by the Texas Attorney General from the federal government. Specifically, the bill mandates that the Attorney General determine the total amount spent on border security in the previous state fiscal biennium and prepare an invoice for reimbursement to the appropriate federal agency. This process must be completed within 30 days of the start of each state fiscal biennium, ensuring that the state actively seeks to recoup its expenditures related to border security efforts.

Contention

There is potential contention surrounding this bill primarily related to its implications for state-federal relations and budgetary priorities. While supporters may argue that it enables Texas to reclaim funds that are rightfully owed for border security, critics could raise concerns about the appropriateness of pursuing such reimbursements, especially given the substantial costs previously incurred. Denominations of up to $20 billion for border security expenditures create a debate around the legitimacy and necessity of such funding, indicating a need for transparency and accountability in how these funds are managed.

Special_provisions

Additionally, the bill specifies provisions for actual expenditures from September 1, 2001, to August 31, 2025, and establishes a sunset clause for these provisions, expiring on August 31, 2027. This temporary adjustment indicates an acknowledgment of changing political and fiscal circumstances, with an eye towards potential reevaluation of these fiscal responsibilities in the future.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 402. Attorney General
  • Section: New Section