The House and Senate have adjourned Sine Die for the Fourth Called Special Session. Below is an overview of the bills that passed during this special session:
SB 3 (Huffman) Relating to an appropriation to provide funding for the construction, operation, and maintenance of border barrier infrastructure and border security operations, including funding for additional overtime expenses and costs due to certain increased law enforcement presence.
- The bill provides $1.54 billion for construction of a border barrier for related DPS operations. Provides the Governor with discretion to use funds to assist local governments and local law enforcement operations related to border security. The bill passed the Senate (18-10) and passed the House (85-56). The bill has been sent to the Comptroller for verification and then will be sent to the Governor’s desk.
SB 4 (Perry) Relating to prohibitions on the illegal entry into or illegal presence in this state by a person who is an alien, the enforcement of those prohibitions and certain related orders, including immunity from liability and indemnification for enforcement actions, and authorizing or requiring under certain circumstances the removal of persons who violate those prohibitions; creating criminal offenses.
- The bill creates two new offences under the penal code related to illegal entry. The bill passed the Senate (17-11) and passed the House (83-60). The bill has been sent to the Governor for his signature.