89R5604 SCF-D     By: Capriglione H.B. No. 1554       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a political subdivision's authority to use public money   in the provision of legal services for individuals unlawfully   present in the United States.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 752, Government Code, is amended by   adding Subchapter D to read as follows:   SUBCHAPTER D. PROHIBITED IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE          Sec. 752.101.  DEFINITION. In this subchapter,   "governmental entity" means:                (1)  a board, commission, council, department, or other   agency in the executive branch of state government that is created   by constitution or statute, including an institution of higher   education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code; or                (2)  a political subdivision of this state.          Sec. 752.102.  PROHIBITION ON USE OF PUBLIC MONEY TO PROVIDE   LEGAL SERVICES FOR UNLAWFULLY PRESENT INDIVIDUALS. (a)  Unless   required by the United States Constitution, a governmental entity   may not:                (1)  provide public money, including a grant award, to   any person for the provision of legal services in a removal or other   immigration-related civil proceeding regarding an individual who   is unlawfully present in the United States according to the terms of   the federal Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. Section 1101   et seq.); or                (2)  seek reimbursement from this state for an attorney   provided for a purpose described by Subdivision (1).          (b)  This section does not prohibit a governmental entity   from providing an attorney to an indigent defendant entitled to   representation under Article 1.051, Code of Criminal Procedure.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.