The Future of Fusion Centers

Texas Impact’s legislative agenda includes the objective to improve law enforcement transparency and set goals for the Texas Fusion Center. For the past two years, we have worked closely with law enforcement departments in Austin and around the state to help work out a “best practice” system for fusion centers around the state.

This session, we have closely followed HB 3324 by Representative Ruth Jones McClendon, and SB 1572 by Senator Kirk Watson. Both bills seek to give the state additional rule-making authority over fusion centers, by establishing the Texas Fusion Center Policy Council under the Department of Public Safety to create rules, monitor, and advise fusion centers in this state. The bill language represents significant cooperation, authorship, and buy-in between legislators,  DPS officials, and advocates.

The Texas Fusion Center is the centerpiece in establishing and managing statewide intelligence capability. The legislation would give the Department of Public Safety tools to employ best practices in providing the appropriate structure and information for fusion centers in the state and would direct the Texas Fusion Center Policy Council to submit a report that contains a summary of the progress of fusion centers around the state.

HB 3324 has passed the House and is now in the Senate, and SB 1572 is now in the House. Both bills have been referred to the respective chamber committees. For McClendon’s bill, it’s the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Public Safety. For Watson’s bill, it’s the House Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security. Stay tuned for updates on the hearing, passage, and conference process.

Additional information on SB 1572.

Additional information on HB 3324.