S.B. No. 36 establishes the Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety, enhancing law enforcement initiatives related to homeland security. The bill amends Section 411.002(a) of the Government Code to incorporate this new division into the department's structure and introduces a new Subchapter S that outlines the division's responsibilities, including strategic planning for border security, intelligence coordination, and the protection of critical infrastructure. The division will also be responsible for training volunteers to identify and report threats, and it will oversee initiatives like Operation Drawbridge for surveillance along the Texas-Mexico border.

The bill further defines "homeland security activity" and mandates the division to provide expertise to state agencies and local governments regarding border security and critical infrastructure protection. It establishes protocols for handling sensitive information from private organizations and outlines the transfer of management of the Border Security Operations Center and Joint Operations and Intelligence Centers to the new division. The bill aims to improve efficiency and eliminate redundancies in homeland security operations and is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 411, Government Code 421)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 411, Government Code 421)
Engrossed: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 411, Government Code 421)
House Committee Report: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 411, Government Code 421)
Enrolled: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 411, Government Code 421)