89R1996 DRS-D
By: Guillen H.B. No. 1836
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report by the General Land Office on private
landowner participation in border security.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. STUDY. (a) The General Land Office shall
conduct a study to identify methods to increase private landowner
cooperation with state border security activities, including:
(1) cooperation with law enforcement relating to the
offense of criminal trespass, as described by Section 30.05, Penal
Code; and
(2) permission granted to a state entity for:
(A) the temporary placement on a landowner's
property of personnel, equipment, and infrastructure relating to
border security; or
(B) property modification for the purpose of
supporting border security.
(b) The study must consider:
(1) methods of incentivizing private landowner
participation, including:
(A) financial incentives;
(B) tax abatements;
(C) infrastructure improvements; and
(D) installation of utilities; and
(2) the amount of money required to provide the
incentives described by Subdivision (1).
(c) To collect data for the study, the General Land Office
shall conduct in-person surveys and focus groups among private
landowners, including at least 10 landowners from each county
adjacent to the Texas-Mexico border, excluding Jeff Davis County,
whose parcel of real property is:
(1) adjacent to the Texas-Mexico border; or
(2) privately held and closest in proximity to the
Texas-Mexico border.
(d) In conducting the study, the General Land Office shall
collaborate with:
(1) the comptroller of public accounts;
(2) the Department of Public Safety of the State of
Texas;
(3) the office of the attorney general;
(4) the office of the governor;
(5) the Texas Department of Transportation;
(6) the Texas Facilities Commission; and
(7) the Texas Military Department.
SECTION 2. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2026, the
General Land Office shall submit a report on the results of the
study conducted under Section 1 of this Act to the legislature and
each entity with which the General Land Office collaborates to
conduct the study under Section 1.
SECTION 3. EXPIRATION. This Act expires August 31, 2027.
SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.