TX SB36

Establishes the Homeland Security Division as a formal component of the Texas Department of Public Safety, with a chief appointed by the director with commission consent to lead multi-agency and public-private law enforcement efforts supporting homeland security objectives

Assigns the division responsibility for strategic and operational planning of Texas border security operations, including coordinating intelligence collection and analysis, operating intelligence centers, and managing Operation Drawbridge (camera and surveillance equipment along the Texas-Mexico border)

Requires the division to develop comprehensive homeland security strategic plans, conduct threat and risk assessments, plan emergency response exercises, and coordinate federal assessments including the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment and Stakeholder Preparedness Review

Mandates protection of critical infrastructure with priority focus on energy, communications, transportation systems, and water/wastewater systems, including developing an Infrastructure Liaison Officer Program to train volunteers from public and private organizations to identify and report threats

Transfers management of the Border Security Operations Center and Joint Operations and Intelligence Centers to the new division, with all associated money, contracts, property, and employee positions moving to DPS effective September 1, 2025