Bill Text: TX SB1704 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to cooperation with federal agencies on immigration issues in this state; authorizing fees.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-15 - Left pending in committee [SB1704 Detail]
Download: Texas-2013-SB1704-Introduced.html
| By: Lucio | S.B. No. 1704 | |
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| relating to cooperation with federal agencies on immigration issues | ||
| in this state; authorizing fees. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Chapter 751, Government Code, is amended by | ||
| adding Subchapter C to read as follows: | ||
| SUBCHAPTER C. COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR | ||
| IMMIGRATION ISSUES | ||
| Sec. 751.051. BORDER SECURITY. The office, in consultation | ||
| with the Department of Public Safety, shall seek to enter into a | ||
| memorandum of understanding or other agreement with the appropriate | ||
| federal agency to implement a border security strategy in this | ||
| state. The border security strategy requested may include, subject | ||
| to the receipt of federal aid or funding: | ||
| (1) an increase in the number of federal border | ||
| officers working on the Texas-Mexico border; | ||
| (2) strategic fencing in certain urban areas near the | ||
| Texas-Mexico border; | ||
| (3) increased land and sea border patrols; | ||
| (4) flights of unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor | ||
| border activity; | ||
| (5) use of infrared cameras and other technology to | ||
| assist in identifying persons attempting to cross the border | ||
| illegally; | ||
| (6) continued communication and cooperation with | ||
| federal law enforcement authorities; and | ||
| (7) improved extradition agreements with Mexico and | ||
| other countries. | ||
| Sec. 751.052. GUEST WORKER PROGRAM. The office, in | ||
| consultation with the Texas Workforce Commission, shall seek to | ||
| enter into a memorandum of understanding or other agreement with | ||
| the appropriate federal agency to authorize or grant a waiver for a | ||
| pilot guest worker program to be implemented in order to bring | ||
| skilled and unskilled workers into this state during periods of | ||
| time when no Texan workers are available to fill open employment | ||
| positions. The proposed pilot program would: | ||
| (1) be self-funding through participation fees and | ||
| fines; | ||
| (2) require applicants to: | ||
| (A) pass a criminal background check; | ||
| (B) show some proficiency in the English | ||
| language; and | ||
| (C) submit proof of health insurance coverage | ||
| provided by the applicant's employer or purchased by the applicant; | ||
| (3) limit participation to employers that deduct and | ||
| match payroll taxes; and | ||
| (4) provide for an identification card for program | ||
| participants that would assist in monitoring any criminal and civil | ||
| court appearances. | ||
| SECTION 2. 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, 2013. | ||
