I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2217 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 16, 2011 Mr. Carter (for himself and Mr. Gohmert) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned A BILL To offset the economic burden on border sheriffs from the lack of southern border security, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Southern Border Sheriffs Community Impact Aid Act of 2011.

2.

Findings; sense of Congress

(a)

Findings

Congress finds the following: (1)The international border of the United States constitutes Federal infrastructure that has a substantial economic impact on adjacent counties. (2)The high level of documented illegal activity on the United States southern border has placed a unique economic burden on border sheriffs’ departments. (b)

Sense of Congress

It is the sense of Congress that the Federal Government should offset the additional law enforcement costs on these counties in a similar manner to the Community Impact Aid program for local schools that incur additional costs from Federal infrastructure.

3.

Community Impact Aid grants

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Homeland Security shall make grants to sheriffs’ departments along the southern border of the United States for the purpose of hiring additional deputies, including for salaries, benefits, training, uniforms, patrol vehicles, and arms. (b)

Grant calculation formula

Except as provided in subsection (c), a grant made pursuant to subsection (a) shall be in an amount equal to 30 percent of an eligible sheriff’s department’s fiscal year 2010 budget for patrol deputies. (c)

Minimum benefit

Notwithstanding the calculation provided for in subsection (b), a grant made pursuant to subsection (a) to an eligible sheriff’s department shall be in an amount that allows for the hiring of at least one additional deputy. (d)

Availability

Grants made pursuant to subsection (a) are authorized to remain available until expended. (e)

Eligibility and funding

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a sheriff’s department shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (f)

Eligible sheriffs’ departments

Sheriffs’ departments in the following counties are eligible to receive grants under this section: (1)In Texas, the following counties: El Paso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis, Presidio, Brewster, Terrell, Val Verde, Kinney, Maverick, Dimmit, Webb, Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron, Willacy, Jim Hogg, Zavala, and Pecos Counties. (2)In Arizona, the following counties: Yuma, Pima, Santa Cruz, and Cochise Counties. (3)In New Mexico, the following counties: Dona Ana, Luna, Grant, Otero, and Hidalgo Counties. (4)In California, the following counties: San Diego and Imperial Counties. (g)

Cut as you go

To carry out this section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall reprogram funds that would otherwise be obligated and expended under the account heading Departmental Management and Operations.