Bill Caption

Relating to border security enhancement projects and the creation of a fund to pay for those projects; allocating the earnings on the balance of that fund and reimbursement of related expenditures.

Fiscal Notes

According to the Legislative Budget Board:

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time. The fiscal impact would depend on the amount of funding appropriated to the new Border Security Enhancement Fund.

Bill Analysis

HB 4306 would create a new special fund in the state treasury outside of general revenue to be administered by the governor for the purpose of preventing human trafficking and illegal entry into the United States by foreign persons. The fund could be used for planning, designing, constructing, or maintaining a variety of types of infrastructure to achieve these purposes. The governor would have broad authority to enter into contracts and waive certain legal requirements to ensure expeditious use of the funds for the purposes it is created.

The governor would be required to request from the federal government reimbursement of the amounts expended from the fund.

The governor would be required to begin a pilot program for use of this fund in certain border counties not later than November 1, 2019.

Vote Recommendation Notes

While we support strengthening border security, we oppose creating a new dedicated fund outside of general revenue. For these reasons we remain neutral on HB 4306.