MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BORDER SECURITY
Thursday, September 19, 2024
10:00 AM
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Border Security was held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: |
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MEMBERS ABSENT: |
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Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair |
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None |
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Senator Pete Flores, Vice Chair |
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Senator César Blanco |
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Senator Juan Hinojosa |
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Senator Phil King |
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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The chair laid out the following committee charge:
· Securing the Texas-Mexico Border: Examine the impact of transnational criminal activity on commerce including, but not limited to, organized crime fuel theft to fund criminal operations. Make recommendations to support and strengthen interagency border operations to combat criminal enterprises.
The following individuals provided invited testimony. (See attached witness list)
Panel One:
Department of Public Safety
Colonel Steven McCraw, Director
Panel Two:
Department of Public Safety
Captain Omar Villareal
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Chief James “Jim” Harris, Director of Law Enforcement – Criminal Investigations Division
Lieutenant Brett Froh, Criminal Investigations Division
Texas Trucking Association
John Esparza, President and CEO
The following individuals provided public testimony. (See attached witness list)
The chair laid out the following committee charge:
· Support for Border Security Personnel: Consider the effect on personnel who have actively served or participated in Operation Lone Star and the impact of their service on their health and well-being, and their regular employment or assignments outside of Operation Lone Star. Study the challenges and barriers that affect the recruitment and retention of personnel engaged in border security efforts.
The following individuals provided invited testimony. (See attached witness list)
Panel One:
Texas Military Department
Major General Thomas Suelzer
Command Sergeant Major Frederick Heard
Colonel Mark Gunn
Command Sergeant Major Dale Williams
Panel Two:
Department of Public Safety
Colonel Steven McCraw, Director
Panel Three:
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Lieutenant Colonel Ron VanderRoest, Interim Director of Law Enforcement
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
Ronald Swenson, Chief of Enforcement
Panel Four:
Department of Public Safety Officers Association
Clay Taylor, Executive Director
National Guard Association of Texas
Mireya Cruz, President
The following individuals provided public testimony. (See attached witness list)
The chair laid out the following committee charge:
· Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Border Security passed by the 88th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:
Senate Bill 1133, relating to a program to compensate landowners for property damage caused by certain criminal activities
The following individuals provided invited testimony. (See attached witness list)
Panel One:
Office of Attorney General
Lane Brown, Chief of the Crime Victim Services Division
South Texas Property Rights Association
Charles Maley, Advocacy Director
Texas Farm Bureau
Warren Cude, State Director – District 6
Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association
Joey Aguilar Jr., Special Ranger
The following individuals provided public testimony. (See attached witness list)
Senate Bill 602, relating to law enforcement authority of federal border patrol agents.
The following individuals provided invited testimony. (See attached witness list)
Panel One:
National Border Patrol Council
Chris Cabrera, Vice President
Department of Public Safety
Chief Derek Prestridge
Border Prosecution Unit
The Honorable Tonya Spaeth Ahlschwede, 452nd District Attorney
The following individuals provided public testimony. (See attached witness list)
Senate Bill 1484, relating to a border operations training program for peace officers employed by local law enforcement agencies.
The following individuals provided invited testimony. (See attached witness list)
Panel One:
Department of Public Safety
Chief Derek Prestridge
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
Greg Stevens, Executive Director
The following individuals provided public testimony. (See attached witness list)
There being no further business, at 4:16 PM Senator Birdwell moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Brian Birdwell, Chair
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Jennifer Trevino, Clerk