David Holt

Please support HB 1364, a bill requiring quarterly public reporting by counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions that enter into agreements with the federal government related to immigration enforcement. This bill is fundamentally about accountability, transparency, and responsible governance. When local governments choose to enter into agreements that involve federal immigration enforcement, those decisions carry real consequences—financial, legal, and operational—for local taxpayers and communities. Quarterly reporting ensures that elected officials, legislators, and the public can clearly understand what agreements exist, what activities are being carried out, what resources are being used, and what impacts those agreements have on public safety and local services. This legislation does not prohibit cooperation with the federal government, nor does it dictate immigration policy. Instead, it establishes a basic oversight mechanism so that decisions made at the local level are subject to regular review and public accountability—standards that already apply in many other areas of government contracting and law enforcement activity. Transparency protects everyone involved. It helps prevent mission creep, unfunded mandates, civil liability, and inconsistent practices across jurisdictions. It also ensures that local governments are acting within their authority and in alignment with the expectations of the residents they serve. Quarterly reporting is a reasonable, minimal requirement that strengthens legislative oversight and public trust. For those reasons, I urge the committee to support this bill. Thank you for the opportunity to testify.