Bill Text: TX HB1994 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to efficiency audits of Operation Lone Star and other border security programs.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-22 - Filed [HB1994 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-HB1994-Introduced.html
| By: Martinez Fischer | H.B. No. 1994 | |
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| relating to efficiency audits of Operation Lone Star and other | ||
| border security programs. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 411, Government Code, is | ||
| amended by adding Section 411.056 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 411.056. EFFICIENCY AUDIT. (a) For purposes of this | ||
| section, "efficiency audit" means an investigation of the | ||
| implementation and administration of Operation Lone Star and other | ||
| border security programs to examine fiscal management, efficiency | ||
| of the use of resources, and the effectiveness of state efforts in | ||
| achieving the border security goals of this state. | ||
| (b) In 2024 and every second year after that year, an | ||
| external auditor selected under Subsection (e) shall conduct the | ||
| efficiency audit required by this section. | ||
| (c) The department shall pay the costs associated with an | ||
| efficiency audit required under this section using existing | ||
| resources. | ||
| (d) The comptroller shall ensure that the external auditor | ||
| conducts the efficiency audit in accordance with the requirements | ||
| of this section. | ||
| (e) Not later than March 1 of the year in which an efficiency | ||
| audit is required under this section, the comptroller shall select | ||
| and contract with an external auditor to conduct the efficiency | ||
| audit. | ||
| (f) The external auditor shall be independent and not | ||
| subject to direction from: | ||
| (1) the department; | ||
| (2) the Texas Military Department; or | ||
| (3) any other state agency subject to evaluation by | ||
| the auditor for purposes of this section or that receives or spends | ||
| money under the programs described by Subsection (a). | ||
| (g) The external auditor shall complete the audit not later | ||
| than the 90th day after the date the auditor is selected. | ||
| (h) The Legislative Budget Board shall establish the scope | ||
| of the efficiency audit and determine the areas of investigation | ||
| for the audit, including: | ||
| (1) reviewing the resources dedicated to a program | ||
| described by Subsection (a) to determine whether those resources: | ||
| (A) are being used effectively and efficiently to | ||
| achieve desired program outcomes, including securing the border; | ||
| and | ||
| (B) are not being used for purposes other than | ||
| the intended goals of the applicable program; | ||
| (2) identifying cost savings or reallocations of | ||
| resources; and | ||
| (3) reviewing governmental contracts and grants made | ||
| related to border security programs. | ||
| (i) Not later than November 1 of the year an efficiency | ||
| audit is conducted, the external auditor shall prepare and submit a | ||
| report of the audit and recommendations for efficiency improvements | ||
| to the governor, the Legislative Budget Board, the state auditor, | ||
| the comptroller, and the chairs of the house appropriations | ||
| committee and the senate finance committee. The governor and the | ||
| comptroller shall publish the report, recommendations, and full | ||
| audit on the governor's and the comptroller's Internet websites. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
