S.B. No. 36 establishes the Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to enhance law enforcement initiatives related to homeland security. The bill amends Section 411.002(a) of the Government Code to incorporate the new division into the DPS structure, alongside existing divisions like the Texas Rangers and the Texas Highway Patrol. It introduces a new Subchapter S that outlines the division's roles, including appointing a chief and deputy chiefs, and delegating necessary powers. The division is tasked with coordinating multi-agency efforts for border security, intelligence collection, and protecting critical infrastructure, as well as managing programs like Operation Drawbridge.

Additionally, the bill defines "homeland security activity" to include actions related to preventing and responding to terrorist attacks and extraordinary law enforcement emergencies. It mandates the division to provide expertise to state and local agencies on border security and critical infrastructure, and to collaborate on budget requests for homeland security activities. The bill also establishes protocols for handling sensitive information from private organizations and outlines the transfer of management of the Border Security Operations Center to the new division. S.B. No. 36 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 421, Government Code 411)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 421, Government Code 411)
Engrossed: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 421, Government Code 411)
House Committee Report: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 421, Government Code 411)
Enrolled: Government Code 411.002, Government Code 421.024, Government Code 421.045 (Government Code 421, Government Code 411)