Bill Text: TX HB1170 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to analysis and mitigation of transportation security threats in this state.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [HB1170 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB1170-Introduced.html

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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.