During the Texas Senate Committee on Border Security meeting on March 20, 2025, a key discussion centered around the funding and oversight of Operation Lone Star (OLS) expenses. Lawmakers expressed concerns about ensuring that the proposed bill does not duplicate existing studies related to OLS, which has already received significant funding from the governor.

One senator questioned whether the bill would include OLS expenses, emphasizing the need to avoid redundancy in data collection. "I want to avoid duplicating the work of the OLS numbers," he stated, highlighting the importance of clarity in the bill's intent. The committee members agreed that direct expenditures related to OLS are well-documented and do not require further study.

Another significant point raised was the relationship between the governor's office and the Office of Court Administration (OCA). Senators debated whether the legislature should explicitly direct OCA to provide necessary information or if the governor's existing relationship with the judicial branch would suffice. "I want to honor separation of powers and get the information that we need," one senator remarked, indicating the complexity of navigating inter-agency cooperation.

Senator Hinojosa noted a history of collaboration among state agencies, suggesting that the governor's requests are typically met with cooperation. He proposed the idea of establishing a commission of independent citizens to oversee the study, but the committee leaned towards utilizing existing state agencies for data collection, citing resource constraints.

The discussion underscored the committee's commitment to gathering comprehensive data on border security while ensuring efficient use of state resources. As the meeting concluded, the senators recognized the need for further legal guidance on the separation of powers and the best approach to gather the necessary information moving forward.