Transportation Threat Bill Ends In A Mostly Confidential DPS Report

The text as introduced · 659 words

89R190 SCP-D

By: Raymond
H.B. No. 1170

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to analysis and mitigation of transportation security

threats in this state.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Commission" means the Public Safety Commission.

(2) "Department" means the Department of Public Safety

of the State of Texas.

(3) "Director" means the public safety director.

(4) "Division" means the Intelligence and

Counterterrorism division of the department.

SECTION 2. TRANSPORTATION SECURITY THREAT ANALYSIS. (a)

The division shall conduct an analysis of emerging and potential

future threats to transportation security in this state. The

analysis must include threats posed by the following:

(1) evolving tactics by terrorist organizations that

may pose a catastrophic risk to an aviation or surface

transportation entity;

(2) explosive devices or attacks involving the use of

explosives that may cause catastrophic damage to an aviation or

surface transportation system;

(3) the release of chemical or biological agents in

either aviation or surface transportation systems;

(4) cyberthreat actors seeking to undermine

confidence in transportation systems or cause service disruptions

that jeopardize transportation security;

(5) unmanned aerial systems with the capability of

inflicting harm on transportation targets;

(6) individuals or groups seeking to attack soft

targets, public areas, or crowded spaces of transportation systems,

including attacks against transportation security personnel;

(7) foreign actors seeking to exploit vulnerabilities

posed by inconsistent or inadequate security screening protocols at

last point of departure airports with direct flights to this state;

(8) information-sharing challenges within state

government and between state government and private and

governmental entities; and

(9) growth in passenger volume in both the aviation

and surface transportation sectors in this state.

(b) In conducting the analysis required under Subsection

(a) of this section, the division shall engage transportation

stakeholders and account for security concerns of transportation

operators by:

(1) convening at least three industry day events for

stakeholders to hear from relevant public and private sector

security partners and provide feedback on emerging threats

identified by the stakeholders;

(2) developing strategies to solicit consistent

feedback from stakeholders across all modes of transportation and

providing consistent responses to stakeholder concerns;

(3) improving the quality, timeliness, and relevancy

of information-sharing products disseminated by the division to

stakeholders, including classified information-sharing products;

(4) coordinating security incident response and

communications drills, including tabletop exercises, to improve

incident preparedness and response capabilities across

transportation modes and among transportation systems;

(5) encouraging regular communication between

governmental entities responsible for transportation security and

stakeholders; and

(6) establishing regular opportunities for senior

department leadership to engage with stakeholders regarding

changes in the threat environment and ways the department can offer

security support to address those changes.

(c) Not later than June 1, 2026, the division shall submit

the analysis required under Subsection (a) of this section to the

commission and director.

SECTION 3. MITIGATION. Not later than October 1, 2026, the

director shall:

(1) develop, as appropriate, a threat mitigation

strategy for each of the threats examined in the analysis; and

(2) assign appropriate department resources to

address those threats based on the calculated risk or provide

recommendations to the appropriate governmental entity responsible

for addressing those threats.

SECTION 4. REPORT. (a) Not later than November 1, 2026, the

director shall:

(1) prepare a report on the results of the analysis

required under Section 2 of this Act and relevant mitigation

strategies developed in accordance with Section 3 of this Act; and

(2) notify each standing committee of the legislature

with primary jurisdiction over transportation of the completion of

the report and inform those committees of any relevant findings in

the report as the director determines necessary.

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (a) of this section,

the information in the report is confidential and not subject to

disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.

SECTION 5. EXPIRATION. This Act expires December 31, 2026.

SECTION 6. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect September

1, 2025.