Lawmakers gathered this week for a hearing of the Texas House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Committee, where discussions centered on border security, law enforcement cooperation, and ongoing recruitment struggles within police departments. Several bill proposals were debated, with testimony from state officials and law enforcement representatives offering insight into the state's current security landscape.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Discusses Border Security Efforts
Col. Ron VanderRoest of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department outlined the department's role in border enforcement, breaking down its responsibilities into two phases: standard border operations and its participation in Operation Lone Star, the state's border security initiative.
VanderRoest testified that nearly 209 game wardens are stationed full-time along the Texas-Mexico border, with a 24-mile stretch of the Rio Grande being patrolled under Operation Lone Star. These operations involve a marine-based enforcement patrol aimed at disrupting transnational criminal organizations.
“We've had surges in Operation Lone Star as high as … a hundred game wardens every seven days rolling through that area,” VanderRoest stated. “Working 24/7 operations to where we stand now. Today was about 20 to 25 game wardens working that particular stretch of river.”
When asked by Rep. Mark Dorazio (R-San Antonio) whether border encounters observed by game wardens aligned with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports, VanderRoest confirmed a significant decline, stating:
“We’ve seen the numbers plummet… There are many days we go without any type of illegal contact.”
Recent reports indicate an 85 percent decrease in apprehensions along the southwest border between January 21 and January 31 compared to the same period in 2024.
VanderRoest also emphasized the strong coordination between Texas law enforcement and federal agencies, stating that communication across all levels of government remains effective and cooperative.
Law Enforcement Recruitment and Retention Challenges
The conversation then shifted to Scott Rubin of the Texas Police Chiefs Association, who testified about chronic staffing shortages among law enforcement agencies.
“Very few agencies are at full staff,” Rubin explained, adding that recruitment and retention struggles have persisted for some time. He attributed the problem to changing cultural attitudes and a decline in the number of people choosing law enforcement careers.
Rubin noted that efforts to attract officers from other states are ongoing, mentioning collaboration with Gov. Greg Abbott’s office on potential statewide funding initiatives to boost recruitment. He also referenced a high-profile recruitment campaign launched by Texas Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) last year, which included a full-page ad in the New York Post encouraging New York City officers to “escape New York and move to Texas.”
Legislation Proposed to Strengthen Law Enforcement Efforts
Committee members also heard testimony on several proposed bills aimed at bolstering law enforcement capabilities and improving public safety:
House Bill 626 (HB 626), presented by Rep. Cecil Bell (R-Magnolia), seeks to grant federal air marshals and certain Department of Defense police officers state law enforcement authority for felony offenses. Federal and state law enforcement coordination has been a priority for former President Donald Trump, and recent joint operations between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the FBI led to 543 criminal illegal alien arrests in Houston.
House Bill 674 (HB 674), introduced by Rep. David Spiller (R-Jacksboro), would increase criminal penalties for individuals attempting to evade law enforcement at checkpoints or during arrests. By reclassifying these offenses as felonies, prosecutors would have more time to prepare cases. Spiller also noted that under federal law, the proposed change would make individuals convicted of these crimes eligible for deportation.
“The federal government's obligated to deport someone that's found guilty of those charges… It’s not preempted by federal law. It's not in conflict with existing federal law,” Spiller emphasized.
House Bill 908 (HB 908) was also discussed, focusing on improving the safety and recovery of missing children by standardizing and expediting the reporting process for law enforcement.
Legislation Remains Pending
After detailed discussions and testimony, all bills brought before the committee were left pending. Lawmakers will continue to review the proposals before taking any further action.
