Based on information provided by the affected agencies, CBO estimates that implementing S. 750 would cost $1 million over the 2016-2019 period, assuming the availability of appropriated funds. Because enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
The bill would require the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to grant Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel immediate access to federal lands in Arizona within 100 miles of the United States-Mexico border. That requirement would end four years after enactment of the legislation. The bill also would authorize the Secretaries to provide education and training to CBP personnel related to natural and cultural resources in the affected areas. Finally, the bill would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the effectiveness of actions taken under the bill and the effects of illegal human traffic on natural, cultural, and historic resources on federal lands.
An existing memorandum of understanding between the affected agencies allows CBP personnel access to the affected federal lands and provides for certain training activities involving those agencies. Thus, CBO estimates that carrying out activities required under the bill that directly relate to border enforcement would have a minimal effect on the operations of the affected agencies and would not affect the federal budget.
Based on information regarding the cost of similar activities and assuming the availability of appropriated funds, CBO estimates that GAO would spend $1 million over the 2016-2019 period to conduct the study required under the bill. Those amounts would be used to cover personnel and travel costs associated with the study.
S. 750 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
