Guillen Border Bill Studies Paying Landowners To Host State Personnel

The text as introduced · 399 words

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.