HB 176

relating to the provisions required in an interstate compact on
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 794, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 794.0001 to read as follows:
Sec. 794.0001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "illegal
(1)  is not a citizen or national of the United States;
(2)  is unlawfully present in the United States
according to the terms of 8 U.S.C. Section 1101 et seq.
SECTION 2.  Section 794.003, Government Code, is amended to
Sec. 794.003.  INTERSTATE COMPACT PROVISIONS.  The compact
authorized by this chapter must provide for joint action among
compacting states on matters that include:
(1)  sharing law enforcement intelligence on illegal
activity occurring at the border with Mexico;
(2)  sharing state resources in order to build a
physical barrier, a comprehensive technological surveillance
system, or both, on state land to deter or detect illegal activity
occurring at the border with Mexico; [and]
(3)  sharing other law enforcement resources to ensure
the protection of personnel and property;
(4)  to the greatest extent possible given the
resources available, ensuring the operational control of the
Texas-Mexico border through the detection and apprehension or
deflection of illegal aliens attempting to cross that border into
(5)  enforcing federal immigration laws, including the
laws governing detecting, apprehending, detaining, prosecuting,
releasing, and monitoring illegal aliens; and
(6)  providing mutual support for the resources,
including infrastructure, equipment, software, and personnel, that
are necessary or convenient to ensure that the purposes described
by this section are adequately supported and achieved.
SECTION 3.  The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter
794, Government Code, apply only to an interstate compact entered
into under that chapter on or after the effective date of this Act.
An interstate compact entered into under that chapter before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
date the interstate compact was entered into, and the former law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4.  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.