(The Center Square) – A new bill filed in the Texas Senate would create a new Homeland Security division within the Texas Department of Public Safety.
It was the first bill filed by state Sen. Tan Parker, R-Flower Mound, to strengthen Texas’ security infrastructure and coordinate a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional effort to protect Texans from homeland security threats, he said.
“The legislation underscores our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of every Texan,” Parker said. “By creating a dedicated Homeland Security Division, we are enhancing Texas’ ability to respond to evolving threats and ensuring a unified, strategic approach to safeguarding our state.”
SB 780 would formalize the division leading the state’s border security operations, which has been a joint operation between the Texas Military Department and DPS through Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star. Border Czar Mike Banks has overseen border security efforts working with the Texas National Guard, DPS and local law enforcement, including an OLS Task Force involving more than 50 local agencies.
After Banks began implementing new border security efforts, federal apprehensions in Texas dropped by more than 51%, according to official federal data, The Center Square reported.
Abbott hired Banks in January 2023 as Texas’ first border czar. A retired Border Patrol supervisor, Banks implemented a “PDI strategy” (position, deter and interdict), The Center Square first reported. Within one year, Texas’ resistance grew and illegal entries increased in New Mexico, Arizona and California, The Center Square first reported.
The new DPS Homeland Security division will focus on border security as well as statewide intelligence and protecting critical infrastructure. This includes energy and communications and transportation systems at a time when Texas infrastructure has been targeted. Last year, the water systems of several small towns in west Texas were targeted by Russian hackers, The Center Square reported.
Texas municipalities were attacked when multiple federal agencies warned all 50 state governors of “disabling cyberattacks” targeting water and wastewater systems reportedly being perpetrated by Iranian and Chinese state actors, The Center Square reported.
Ahead of the legislative session, Abbott issued four executive orders related to China, including directing state agencies to prepare for potential threats against Texas’ critical infrastructure from a hostile foreign government and directing state agencies and higher education institutions to safeguard “critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and personal information from being accessed by hostile foreign nations that attempt to infiltrate Texas,” The Center Square reported.
The new DPS Homeland Security division would focus on protecting critical infrastructure and develop strategic plans, conduct risk assessment and host exercises to improve the state’s disaster response capabilities for homeland security preparedness, according to the bill language.
It wouldl also focus on border security planning and coordination with federal, state and local agencies to secure the Texas-Mexico border. This involves spearheading intelligence and surveillance, including managing Operation Drawbridge.
Drawbridge is “the program for the installation and monitoring of cameras and surveillance equipment along the Texas-Mexico border.” It’s the same name and similar system as one used by U.S. Border Patrol agents for years to find gotaways, those who illegally enter between ports of entry to evade capture.
A record more than two million gotaways have been recorded under the Biden administration, The Center Square exclusively reported.
“The challenges Texas faces, from border security to critical infrastructure threats, demand an innovative and unified response,” Parkers said. The bill “equips Texas with the tools to protect our people and ensure resilience against the challenges of tomorrow.”
Border security is a top concern among Texas voters, with the majority polled saying the state legislature doesn’t spend enough money on it and needs to do more, The Center Square reported.