I 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 1626 To reimburse the States for border security expenses, and for other purposes. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 8, 2021 Mr. CRENSHAW (for himself, Mr. NEHLS, Mr. BURGESS, Mr. WEBER of Texas, Ms. GRANGER, Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. JACK- SON, Mr. FALLON, Mr. PFLUGER, Mr. BABIN, Mr. GOODEN of Texas, Mr. ROY, and Mr. CUELLAR) introduced the following bill; which was re- ferred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To reimburse the States for border security expenses, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa- 1 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 2 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 3 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘State Border Security 4 Reimbursement Act of 2021’’. 5 SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 6 Congress finds the following: 7 (1) Border security is primarily a Federal re- 8 sponsibility. 9 VerDate Sep 11 2014 04:52 Apr 30, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1626.IH H1626 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HR 1626 IH (2) Due to failures of the Federal Government, 1 the State of Texas has been forced to provide re- 2 sources for border security. 3 (3) Since the 2008–2009 biennium budget, 4 Texas has allocated more than $3,208,000,000 for 5 border security in Texas’ biennium budget 6 disaggregated, as follows: 7 (A) In 2008–2009, Texas allocated more 8 than $110,000,000 for border security. 9 (B) In 2010–2011, Texas allocated more 10 than $120,000,000 for border security. 11 (C) In 2012–2013, Texas allocated more 12 than $222,100,000 for border security. 13 (D) In 2014–2015, Texas allocated more 14 than $510,000,000 for border security. 15 (E) In 2016–2017, Texas allocated more 16 than $800,000,000 for border security. 17 (F) In 2018–2019, Texas allocated more 18 than $663,100,000 for border security. 19 (G) In 2020–2021, Texas allocated more 20 than $782,800,000 for border security. 21 (H) For 2022–2023, the State of Texas 22 Legislative Budget Board is currently recom- 23 mending an additional $797,100,000 for border 24 security. 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:38 May 05, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H1626.IH H1626 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HR 1626 IH (4) Citizens of border States are being taxed 1 twice for the same purpose. 2 (5) States using their taxpayer dollars and allo- 3 cating State budgets to meet public safety obliga- 4 tions, which fall under Federal responsibilities, im- 5 poses an undue burden on the State. 6 SEC. 3. REIMBURSEMENT. 7 (a) QUALIFICATION.—Notwithstanding any other 8 provision of law, States that have expended more than 9 $2,500,000,000 on border security and enforcement in 10 support of Federal efforts in the ten years prior to the 11 date of the enactment of this Act shall have all associated 12 expenses reimbursed. 13 (b) APPLICATION.—Not later than 180 days after the 14 date of the enactment of this Act, the Governors of eligible 15 States shall submit— 16 (1) an accounting of all non-federally funded 17 border security expenses incurred by the State and 18 its municipalities; and 19 (2) the total sum of such expenses. 20 (c) REIMBURSEMENT.—Not later than 1 year after 21 the date on which the State submits the application pursu- 22 ant to subsection (b), the Federal Government shall reim- 23 burse such expenses pursuant to subsection (a). 24 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 00:33 May 05, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H1626.IH H1626 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS