Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program.

(1) The Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program is created within the State Board of Immigration Enforcement to award grants to support local law enforcement agencies, which include chief correctional officers operating county detention facilities, in their cooperation and coordination with federal immigration agencies in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The board shall award any funds specifically appropriated for the program to reimburse expenses or issue bonus payments as provided in this section.

(2) A local law enforcement agency may apply to the State Board of Immigration Enforcement for reimbursement of expenses incurred in its cooperation and coordination with federal immigration agencies in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Reimbursements may be requested for the following eligible expenses:

(a) Subletting detention beds to the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

(b) Equipment, travel, and lodging related to the s. 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. s. 1357, program.

(c) Training programs, including certified apprenticeship programs, related to supporting the enforcement of federal immigration laws.

(d) Hardware or software essential to assisting the Federal Government in its enforcement of federal immigration laws.

(3)(a) A local law enforcement agency may apply to the State Board of Immigration Enforcement to provide bonus payments for the agency’s local law enforcement officers who participate in United States Department of Homeland Security at-large task force operations. The local law enforcement agency may apply for a bonus of up to $1,000 for each local law enforcement officer employed within that agency. The local law enforcement agency must certify to the board that the local law enforcement officer participated in one or more operations and provide any information required by the board. Eligible participation does not include operations occurring solely at state correctional facilities or county detention facilities.

(b) The bonus payment shall be adjusted to include 7.65 percent for the officers’ share of Federal Insurance Contribution Act tax on the bonus.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), and for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, a local law enforcement agency may apply to the State Board of Immigration Enforcement to provide bonus payments for the agency’s certified correctional officers under s. 943.10(2), who are a warrant service officer under s. 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. s. 1357 or an immigration officer under the jail enforcement model under s. 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. s. 1357. The local law enforcement agency may apply for a bonus of up to $1,000 for each certified correctional officer employed with that county detention facility. The local law enforcement agency must certify to the board that the certified correctional officer acted in such capacity as a warrant service officer or an immigration officer under the jail enforcement model for at least 6 months preceding the application and provide any information required by the board. Eligible participation does not include operations occurring solely at state correctional facilities. This paragraph expires July 1, 2027.

(4)(a) Grants shall be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis based on the date the State Board of Immigration Enforcement received each completed application. The board shall establish application procedures and eligibility requirements to request reimbursement of eligible expenses or to provide bonus payments, after considering recommendations of the State Immigration Enforcement Council related to funding criteria.

(b) Upon receiving a submitted application, the executive director of the board shall review the application to ensure that it is complete. At least quarterly, the executive director shall complete the review and make a recommendation to the board for approval or denial of the application.

(c) A grant application recommended for approval by the executive director must be unanimously approved by the board or by the executive director if authorized by the board in rule. Upon approval, the board must provide notification in writing to the chair and vice chair of the Legislative Budget Commission at least 14 days before a grant may be issued to a local law enforcement agency under the program. Notwithstanding s. 216.177(2)(b), the chair or vice chair of the Legislative Budget Commission may timely object in writing, which shall void such action until the Legislative Budget Commission or the Legislature addresses the issue.

(5) The total amount of grants awarded may not exceed funding appropriated for the grant program. In order to efficiently and effectively disburse the funds, the State Board of Immigration Enforcement may not duplicate benefits and grants may not be awarded to pay for any activity for which the agency has received or expects to receive federal or other funding.

(6) Local law enforcement agencies shall assist the State Board of Immigration Enforcement with the collection of any data necessary to determine bonus payment amounts and to distribute the bonus payments and shall otherwise provide the board with any information or assistance needed to fulfill the requirements of this section.

(7) The State Board of Immigration Enforcement shall adopt rules to implement this section. The rules shall establish procedures to implement and carry out this section, including a process for reviewing and taking action on the grant applications in bulk or as part of a consent calendar. The rules shall include application requirements and establish supporting documentation necessary for the board to make decisions. The rules may allow for the executive director to approve grants of up to $25,000 without board approval.