HR1222-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Operation Lone Star Reimbursement Act.

2. Findings Congress finds the following: The Federal Government is primarily responsible for securing the borders of the United States at and between ports of entry. Due to the lack of border action by the Federal Government from January 20, 2021, to January 19, 2025, the State of Texas has been forced to continually appropriate funds to secure the southern border of the United States. Texas has taken these actions to help maintain safety and security for all citizens across the United States by protecting against the criminal acts of— human trafficking; sex trafficking; drug proliferation; illicit movement of weapons and contraband; criminal organizations; and unlawful entry. In March 2021, the Governor of Texas launched Operation Lone Star to combat these threats, resulting in— apprehension of over half a million illegal immigrants; 140,000 attempted illegal entries denied; over 50,000 criminal arrests; the seizure of half a billion lethal doses of fentanyl; and construction of over 240 miles of border barriers. The amount the State of Texas spent on border security to combat the crisis at Texas’ southern border was $11.1 billion of Texas taxpayer funding.

3. Reimbursements for the State of Texas The Governor of Texas shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of the Treasury an application for reimbursement, which shall include— a list of expenses incurred by the State of Texas for activities conducted relating to securing the southern international border of the United States during the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025; and the total amount of expenses incurred for such activities. The Secretary of Homeland Security must review the State of Texas’ application within 120 days after receival and determine what expenses that incurred are eligible for reimbursement and submit a report to Congress on the final decision. Not later than 60 days after the Secretary of Homeland Security has submitted the reimbursement decision to Congress, the Secretary of the Treasury shall pay to the State of Texas, out of any amounts in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, an amount equal to the total amount of expenses determined reimbursable.