Bill > SB780

This bill establishes the Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), a new organizational unit designed to enhance state security and resilience. The division will have broad responsibilities including strategic border security planning, intelligence coordination, homeland security preparedness, and critical infrastructure protection. Specifically, the division will develop comprehensive homeland security strategic plans, facilitate security exercises, conduct risk assessments, manage border surveillance programs like Operation Drawbridge, and coordinate efforts among state agencies, local governments, and private organizations. The bill empowers the division to establish work groups, conduct research on security technologies, provide expertise to other government entities, set priorities for homeland security grant programs, and maintain a public website for sharing non-confidential assessments. The legislation also requires the transfer of existing border security operations centers to the new division and mandates collaboration between the division and other state homeland security entities like the governor's homeland security council. The Homeland Security Division will be led by a chief appointed by the DPS director, with the authority to employ deputy chiefs and other necessary staff. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, marking a significant reorganization of Texas's approach to homeland security activities.

Military Affairs and Security

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB780