HB 1554

AN ACT relating to a political subdivision's authority to use public money

House Bill • Capriglione | Metcalf | Hull | Landgraf | McQueeney

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

In Committee

Hearing Scheduled

Passed Committee

Floor Calendar

Passed Chamber

Sent to Other Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Sent to Governor

Signed into Law

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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What This Bill Does

This Texas bill prohibits political subdivisions and state government entities from using public money to provide legal services for individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States in immigration-related civil proceedings. The legislation prevents government agencies from spending taxpayer funds on legal representation or grants for such services, with an exception for indigent criminal defendants and cases required by the U.S. Constitution. The bill would take effect on September 1, 2025, impacting local governments, state agencies, and immigration legal service providers.

Subject Areas

Political Subdivisions State Finances--Appropriations Aliens City Government--General County Government--General State Agencies, Boards & Commissions

Bill Text

relating to a political subdivision's authority to use public money
in the provision of legal services for individuals unlawfully
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 752, Government Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter D to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER D. PROHIBITED IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE
Sec. 752.101.  DEFINITION.  In this subchapter,
(1)  a board, commission, council, department, or other
agency in the executive branch of state government that is created
by constitution or statute, including an institution of higher
education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; or
(2)  a political subdivision of this state.
Sec. 752.102.  PROHIBITION ON USE OF PUBLIC MONEY TO PROVIDE
LEGAL SERVICES FOR UNLAWFULLY PRESENT INDIVIDUALS.  (a)  Unless
required by the United States Constitution, a governmental entity
(1)  provide public money, including a grant award, to
any person for the provision of legal services in a removal or other
immigration-related civil proceeding regarding an individual who
is unlawfully present in the United States according to the terms of
the federal Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. Section 1101
(2)  seek reimbursement from this state for an attorney
provided for a purpose described by Subdivision (1).
(b)  This section does not prohibit a governmental entity
from providing an attorney to an indigent defendant entitled to
representation under Article 1.051, Code of Criminal Procedure.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.