Senate Bill No. 780 establishes the Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to enhance the state's homeland security efforts. The bill amends Section 411.002(a) of the Government Code to incorporate this new division and introduces a new Subchapter S that defines its roles and responsibilities, including the appointment of a chief to oversee operations. The division will lead multi-agency and public-private initiatives focused on border security, critical infrastructure protection, and comprehensive homeland security planning. It is tasked with strategic planning, intelligence coordination, and collaboration with local governments and private organizations to improve preparedness and response capabilities.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the Homeland Security Division consult with state agencies involved in homeland security before legislative sessions to discuss budget requests and eliminate redundancies in efforts. It allows the division, in partnership with the Legislative Budget Board, to create rules for sharing information on budget requests related to homeland security activities. The bill also outlines the roles of the governor and the Homeland Security Council in developing a statewide strategy and includes provisions for transferring management of key operations to the new division. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 421, Government Code 411)