In a move aimed at strengthening Texas’ security operations, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has named the creation of a Homeland Security Division within the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) as a legislative priority. Senate Bill 36 (SB 36), authored by Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound), seeks to consolidate various homeland security functions under one entity to enhance coordination in border security and critical infrastructure protection.
Under the proposed bill, the new Homeland Security Division would oversee multi-agency operations and intelligence gathering while developing strategic plans for border security. The division would also take control of existing security centers, such as the Border Security Operations Center and Joint Operations and Intelligence Centers, ensuring a centralized approach to law enforcement and surveillance activities.
Border Security and Surveillance Expansion
A major component of SB 36 is the enhancement of intelligence operations along the U.S.-Mexico border. The division will be responsible for managing surveillance equipment, including Operation Drawbridge, a motion-detection camera system positioned along the border to monitor illegal crossings. In August last year, DPS secured a five-year, $5 million contract with Cobwebs Technologies, an artificial intelligence company, to integrate its Tangles surveillance tool into border monitoring efforts.
The bill also emphasizes preparedness for potential mass migrations, terrorist threats, and other security risks. The division would work alongside federal agencies, state and local law enforcement, and private entities to coordinate responses and ensure compliance with federal restrictions on foreign adversaries, including military-linked businesses from China.
Political Backing and Federal Alignment
SB 36 aligns closely with broader national security efforts, particularly those emphasized under the administration of former President Donald Trump. Recent federal initiatives, such as the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, the classification of drug cartels as terrorist organizations, and the continuation of border wall construction, have signaled an aggressive approach to border security—one that Texas lawmakers appear keen to mirror.
State and federal officials have been vocal about border security concerns. During a recent visit to the southern border, Gov. Greg Abbott and Vice President JD Vance addressed issues such as rising migrant crime rates and the increasing threat of fentanyl trafficking. Vance specifically blamed the Biden administration for what he described as “opening up the southern border”, allowing cartels to gain strength and operate with greater sophistication.
Also present at the border visit were Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard. Hegseth reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to border security, stating that “more resources are coming to this border,” and emphasizing the Department of Defense’s role in ensuring operational control. During an earlier trip to Laredo in February, he defined “mission accomplishment” as achieving “100% operational control” over the southern border.
Next Steps for SB 36
If passed, SB 36 would create a centralized and highly coordinated security structure within DPS, aiming to streamline intelligence-sharing, improve enforcement efforts, and fortify Texas’ defenses against external threats. Supporters argue that the bill is a necessary response to ongoing border challenges, while critics may raise concerns about oversight, civil liberties, and the potential for increased state-federal conflicts over immigration policy.
