(Texas Scorecard) – A high-profile immigration enforcement measure is now headed to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk after both chambers approved a compromise hammered out in conference committee over the last week.
Senate Bill 8, a top priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and the Republican Party of Texas, requires all Texas sheriffs who operate or contract to operate a jail to pursue formal cooperation agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under Section 287(g) of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act.
State Rep. David Spiller (R–Jacksboro), who led negotiations for the House, called the legislation “heavily negotiated.”
When the Senate first passed SB 8 in April, it applied only to sheriffs in counties with populations over 100,000. But the House broadened the bill significantly, requiring universal coverage for all counties that run jails, regardless of population. That provision was maintained in the final version.
“We improved the bill with a floor substitute to provide for universal coverage of the 287(g) program to all counties that operate or contract to operate a jail,” Spiller told House members Monday. “SB 8, in its original form, only had counties with a population of 100,000 or more. This version has expanded that to all counties.”
Under the final language, counties may enter into any of the three ICE partnership models allowed under federal law—the task force model, jail enforcement model, or the warrant service model that had been emphasized in the House version.
The conference committee also made a major funding shift. While the House had created both a grant and reimbursement program to support implementation, the final bill eliminates the reimbursement system and substantially increases grant funding instead.
“The monies that were there for the entirety are now basically front-end loaded,” said Spiller. “We addressed concerns that counties needed funds to be able to implement and operate. We’ve done that.”
The grant program awards counties between $80,000 and $140,000, depending on population, to help cover the cost of implementing an agreement with ICE. These funds can be used for officer compensation, reporting requirements, equipment, training, and detention-related expenses not reimbursed by the federal government.
“What we now have, in my view, is a very strong bill that achieves the public safety purposes of the bill,” Spiller said. “It provides universal coverage and cooperation, provides necessary funding to the counties, guarantees coordination with the executive orders and President Trump, and provides assistance and cooperation with our federal partners to assist in enforcing existing immigration law.”
The legislation now heads to Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law.