Senate Bill 36, which was introduced by Democratic state senator Tan Parker, was approved on Thursday with a 26-4 margin. In response to illegal immigration, violence, and other security issues, the condition Department of Public Safety would establish a homeland security department. The House will be the next chamber to hear it.
Lt. Governor of Texas In a statement, Dan Patrick (R-TX ) expressed his excitement over the news.  ,
The Texas Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement nationwide deal with a wide range of homeland security issues, Patrick said, whether it is dealing with border security, disaster planning, or protecting important equipment. By establishing a Homeland Security Division within DPS, we may consolidate crucial country surveillance activities within the agency, leading to better-prepared and protected Texas. Because keeping Texas secure is one of our top priorities, the Senate and I prioritized SB 36. Sen. Parker’s authority on this significant policy allows us to confront any potential risks head-on.
Advocates argued that the DPS’s works must be centralized and simplified. Although border crossings have decreased significantly over the past several months after reaching historical highs under the Biden administration, Parker argued that Texas also needs a homeland security company because it would” safeguard our borders, our people, and our economic machines.”
According to the Texas Tribune, the lawmaker said,” It strikes the right balance between protecting our security and honoring our local and federal partners.”
ABBOT WANTED TO MANAGE A HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE TO DISCOVER BORDER CRISIS.
SB 36’s section in the Senate was ordered by local authorities last year to direct the governor. Governor Abbott (R-TX ) to declare an urgent legislative session to establish a state-level version of the DHS. Texas was flooded with illegal immigration at the time. According to officials, the new office was needed to relieve local law enforcement of their burden from the rise in crime, which they claimed led to.
Judge John Paul Schuster, Sheriff Brad Coe, and counsel Brent Smith, all of Kinney County, Texas, wrote in a text to Abbott that “words never properly explain the problems on the ground for those of us living in border communities and big cities where cartel-connected gun violence, break-ins, robberies, and aggressive sexual crimes continue to increase.” We Texans no longer feel secure in our parks, streets, or homes.
