(Texas Scorecard) – Texas senators have approved a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to establish a Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Senate Bill 36 by State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) was passed 26-4 on Thursday.
The new division would consolidate existing homeland security functions, now mainly under the Office of the Governor, into a new DPS division to coordinate multiagency and multijurisdictional efforts.
Parker’s measure would also create a centralized process for gathering and analyzing intelligence related to public safety. It prioritizes efforts like border security as well as energy, water, and communications infrastructure.
“By bringing these functions together, we can strengthen our overall preparedness and response, reduce duplication of efforts, and ensure taxpayer dollars are always spent wisely,” said Parker.
State Sen. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio) asked Parker if the new Homeland Security Division could affect Texans in border counties, some of which he claimed are already struggling to obtain driver’s licenses.
Parker clarified that the measure only exists to increase collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and was not in competition with the United States Department of Homeland Security.
“There [are] no additional functions, per se. It’s all being consolidated in this new division,” assured Parker, reiterating that its focus would be on effectively carrying out border and critical infrastructure security.
State Sen. Roland Gutierrez (D-San Antonio) pointed out that leading up to the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, Hidalgo County was the only border county with which DPS had coordinated on emergency response.
“The lack of communication between agencies was just repugnant,” Gutierrez said of the Uvalde shooting response. “So, it’s my hope that DPS, through your piece of legislation here, finally gets their act together and starts talking to counties along the border.”
Parker responded that it was his “strong belief” that, through SB 36, communication between DPS and border counties would be improved to address security concerns more rapidly.
State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin) said she supported the decision to move the majority of homeland security coordination out of the Office of the Governor and into DPS.
“Is it your belief that DPS could do this without this bill?” inquired Eckhardt.
“Yes,” answered Parker, “I think much of what we’re talking about here, DPS could do on their own. I just think it makes sense for us to, as a legislative body, weigh in.”
Parker also noted that current DPS leadership supports SB 36.
After the measure passed, Patrick issued a press release applauding Parker “for his leadership on this key legislation to help our state face any future threats head-on.”
“Whether it is dealing with border security, emergency preparedness, or protecting critical infrastructure, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and local law enforcement statewide deal with a wide array of homeland security challenges,” stated Patrick.
“By creating a Homeland Security Division within DPS, we can centralize vital homeland security operations within DPS, resulting in a better prepared and protected Texas,” he added.
SB 36 will now be sent to the Texas House of Representatives.