AUSTIN, Texas — State House appropriators advanced a nearly $2 billion border security proposal that would fund the governor’s plan to build a barrier along its border with Mexico and cover expenses associated with prosecuting illegal immigrants caught trespassing on Texas land.

The Texas House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday passed H.B. 9 by a vote of 14-8, with five members absent. The vote sets up the $1.8 billion funding bill for a full vote before the lower chamber, though a date has yet to be set.