Bill: SB 62, 84(R) - 2015

Committee

Senate Finance

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral

Author(s)

Don Huffines

Bill Caption

Relating to accounting for costs incurred by this state as a result of the presence of persons who are not lawfully present in the United States.

Fiscal Notes

A fiscal note dated April 29, 2015 anticipates a negative two-year net impact to General Revenue Related Funds for CSSB 62 of $350,000 through the biennium ending August 31, 2017.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of
funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

Senate Bill 62 would amend the Government Code to require that the Comptroller of Public Accounts prepare an estimation of the costs to the state of the presence in the state of persons who are not lawfully present in the United States. The estimation would have to be presented to the speaker of the house of representatives, the lieutenant governor, the governor, and the attorney general, not later than the 30th day before the beginning of each regular legislative session, and should include the financial costs incurred during the preceding two years.

The estimation would have to be divided into different categories of state spending that would have to at least include costs of education of, health care for, and incarceration of persons not lawfully present in the United States, as well as cost of border security and law enforcement attributable to these persons.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Senate Bill 62 would simply require that the cost, to Texas, of illegal immigration be estimated and presented to the speaker of the house of representatives, the lieutenant governor, the governor, and the attorney general.

Regardless of anyone's position on immigration issues, Senate Bill 62 recognizes that actions have consequences and hence additional demand for public services have costs. The bill requires that the costs of illegal immigration be estimated. It favors a transparent and accountable government. We support this bill.

Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 01:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/84r/sb62?print_view=true