[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6529576,"mediaKeyId","3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05","parentId",3798046,"title","Votes at a glance: Public Safety Commission approves seized‑fund spending, reappointments, contested‑case decisions and consent items","audioSeconds",216,"startMs",5849000,"endMs",6065000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05&start=5849&end=6065","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05/thumbnail_5849000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6529576/Texas/Votes-at-a-glance-Public-Safety-Commission-approves-seizedfund-spending-reappointments-contestedcase-decisions-and-consent-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529576-0a65b303e78068a862b3255095fb05a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770775848&Signature=ZZhgc-XhVcMJrfqnsM-q2llQnKnayCWkzyz7~LKO2sK0wfqzWqbiDxqC5raMAkP34-9sR1mQAkuzXI01PX9GpPIDdWRRHCFH26W6xISMDLGUENXuT8lJ9wtqwvKUONuSDXLEVnTjOF6yf4BCpdomqoSaHVGtIqtoSoxzSyIQLwzkQD3-Dryk826vh-7SBUlQzu56eCFqid~NWWKDCTTwHfvfa74oPzXc1X3q5UBXzBxSuxlQ8FvzbMfWwgHOd8iZ4b9~wDMzjJpxPNIHlPE6fvJ3vv1qyC7S8ve8-7rFAX5ljxhjBDi4w4RGveaGoyRJrFu~WiNra-MaxrfS056mpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Public Safety Office","date","2025-06-12T18:06:36.617Z","article","The Public Safety Commission took several formal actions during its June meeting in Austin. Votes and outcomes included approvals for expiring seized funds, rule adoption, reappointment, contested‑case final determinations and routine consent items.

Key votes and outcomes

- Approval of minutes: The commission approved the minutes of a previously posted meeting by voice vote. Motion made and seconded; motion passed.

- Use of state seized funds (Item 8.a): The commission approved a motion to appropriate state seized funds up to the amount available to purchase law‑enforcement equipment and related items before those state funds lapse on Aug. 31. The motion as recorded approved use of $1,382,025.10 (amount described on the slide) for duty holsters, rifle shields, lightweight body armor kits and replacement tablets, with staff authorized to adjust quantities based on final collections. Motion by Commissioner Blair, second by Commissioner Stodgill; tally recorded in discussion as passed.

- Reappointment to Private Security Advisory Committee (Item 8.c): The commission reappointed Deborah Ulmer to the Private Security Advisory Committee in the alarm company representative slot for a six‑year term. Motion by Commissioner Blair, second by Commissioner Hord; motion passed.

- Contested cases (Item 8.d): The commission adopted seven proposals for decision in contested cases (private security license applications denied based on disqualifying convictions, and vehicle inspection license revocations for fraudulent emissions testing). Motion by Commissioner Blair, second by Commissioner Long; motion passed. The department had requested and won the relief recommended in each proposal for decision.

- Adoption of rules (Item 9): The commission adopted new 37 TAC sections 28.211–28.215 concerning the Texas crime laboratory records portal (SB 991). Motion by Commissioner Blair, second by Commissioner Hord; motion passed.

- Consent items (Item 11): All items published on the consent agenda were approved by vote of the commission.

Procedural notes: Several motions were made and seconded by named commissioners (motions frequently moved by Commissioner Blair with seconds by other commissioners). Where dollar amounts, specific motions or case identifiers were presented on slides, staff indicated they would adjust orders or procurements to match actual total seized funds collected and to fit line‑item availability. The commission recessed for an executive session and reconvened before adjourning.

The commission scheduled its next regular meeting for Aug. 7, 2025 and said discharge hearings will be scheduled for August 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Safety Commission Meeting 6/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its June meeting the commission approved the use of expiring state seized funds, reappointed a Private Security Advisory Committee member, adopted seven proposals for decision in contested cases, approved previously posted rules and approved consent agenda items.","taxTitle","Public Safety Office, Departments and Agencies, Executive, Texas","taxId",29967,"location","Texas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6529582,"Commission adopts rules to implement Texas crime‑lab records portal (SB 991)",185,7204000,7389000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05&start=7204&end=7389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05/thumbnail_7204000.jpg","/articles/6529582/Texas/Commission-adopts-rules-to-implement-Texas-crimelab-records-portal-SB-991","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529582-25836c5f76b6069147363f94bf98f8d4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770775848&Signature=X4ODctMxVVfUz5SmtcmZiKyDwIarDYPJWAVBiQneAxVRrM1M5BxZ~4Psu91oL3Dwr5hhiY6YrvxoyXiFWJvYPeUrm1pnixsIWyIwpVMLQe7TUrocHeJ7JRGACggRib4RJ~ghk5BFLJ27jp3zGaumFIGXSywCiaU4RrERjqi5yE~lhZZvBEgyq0zO7fOVKjDgdhlHOYBLHFXMheohVnEkRPMYyJJN3rKVqwt2RBGyKUdIz9FQLAzyEiEw9Rp0dItk2yr0Y~kQpaY3bvH7bHH2fGGvfp5GvLFHjHgUe2Ck3i69AilIqFmXnkr2qZdnSQrXmjRydkp4L8AXWlWwwOBsYg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission voted to adopt new rules, 37 TAC sections 28.211 through 28.215, to implement the Texas crime laboratory records portal required by Senate Bill 991.

Why it matters: the portal is intended to make crime‑laboratory records equally accessible to prosecutors and defense counsel in criminal matters. The rules implement statutory requirements for timeliness and access and address operational questions raised by private laboratories and prosecutors during a public comment period.

Brady Mills of the Crime Laboratory Division said the rules align with statutory intent and described comment letters received from private laboratories and a district attorney; the department modified rule language where the DA’s comment clarified prosecutors’ responsibilities and retention of statutory alignment. Mills asked the commission to adopt the posted rules and said the changes did not alter the rules’ underlying intent.

The commission approved the new rules by voice vote with no recorded opposition.

The department will implement the portal under the statutory timeline and plans to publish implementation details and operational guidance to laboratories, prosecutors and defense counsel as required by law.","The Public Safety Commission approved new rules to implement an electronic crime‑lab discovery portal required by state law, enabling prosecutors and defense counsel access to lab records through a DPS‑hosted portal.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6529586,"DPS finance chief previews $4.4B biennial budget, 400 new positions and program funding from Legislature",660,6056000,6716000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05&start=6056&end=6716","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05/thumbnail_6056000.jpg","/articles/6529586/Texas/DPS-finance-chief-previews-44B-biennial-budget-400-new-positions-and-program-funding-from-Legislature","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529586-b7a562fc63bef6b18314d34753b5b2a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770775848&Signature=JvRQQXoWX87iUhc8tcawG3qtMhEiqTKKbcSU71wVQxZcYcoenhivnOhLbRUJ5ZJvULLhPBKoLjasGza1U87smC5cG-zcsmE2zswFSqa6Re-PaJR2wGX8av69rjhL5afHD2BgpvhkipdlJJSQbjIIgcYmGgtD8-uU~m24K4KtS6JMBXxbSP3RgmFfdS4CqbHaAFfm270laFJ8yLdA8H-Sv9qbduccfkqMjSMt1PyINxw4YkONgEbNcyBEgYeyOIiv~xP95vxMKT3ML7BVekxhgZ3AJLJ14jdvs8qAeCld101U~gHMjk~mOOYcPt9~77O0aSZaopHb14N21XJ6s1FEIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief Financial Officer Susan Whittington briefed the commission on the agency’s proposed appropriations and supplemental funding from the 80th Legislature.

Why it matters: Whittington said the new funding package increases DPS capacity across law enforcement, driver license services, lab infrastructure and facility maintenance, and it assigns new operational responsibilities that require staffing and resources.

Key items Whittington cited: the combined appropriations in the general appropriations bill and a supplemental bill would add roughly 400 new positions across law‑enforcement divisions (including 95 support positions), fund a cold‑case team with six Rangers and 46 lab positions, and provide $16 million for merit and retention pay for noncommissioned staff. IT funding includes remote driver‑license issuance and a document portal, accounts payable and content management systems, and infrastructure to harden networks and data. Aircraft funding listed six replacement helicopters and one additional fixed‑wing aircraft plus maintenance funds; vehicle budget authority was increased to $138 million to reduce fleet mileage. Driver license staffing increases included roughly 399 additional issuing staff and 130 call‑center staff. The bills also included funding for an in‑car camera system for black‑and‑white vehicles and a standard body‑worn camera solution for commission personnel, and an augmented deferred‑maintenance allocation (about $20 million) for 291 state‑owned buildings.

Whittington also summarized items the Legislature added that were not part of DPS’s original request: the department was directed to assume security at the Alamo (funded with 67 state troopers and 20 security guards), $10 million for the Texas Ranger Museum expansion in Waco and accompanying office space, driver license offices in Brenham and Hays County, and expanded safe‑gun storage and safety education funding ($1.5M and $2M respectively). Individual bills included House Bill 48 (an oil‑field theft prevention unit), Senate Bill 36 (establishing a Homeland Security Division with 19 FTEs and $4.6M) and Senate Bill 1723 (a rapid‑DNA pilot with $5.1M).

Whittington said the bills included riders allowing certain unspent funds to be carried forward for projects such as the licensing system and continued funding for driver license offices in Katy and League City and for the Montgomery County training facility. She also noted an increase in education and certification stipends (raising the combined maximum stipend from $2,400 to $8,400 annually for eligible officers) and said DPS headcount authority will rise from about 11,713 to over 13,000 employees; the biennial budget was projected to exceed $4.4 billion if enacted as described.

Commissioners asked technical questions about a particular Brenham driver license office and whether the appropriation would fund a new building versus repair; Whittington said a new full driver license and highway patrol office appeared likely because repair costs made renovation impractical based on current estimates.

Whittington closed by saying staff would provide more detail as funding was finalized and when bills receive the governor’s signature.","Chief Financial Officer Susan Whittington summarized legislative appropriations and supplemental funding for DPS, including 400 new law‑enforcement positions, technology investments, vehicles and new responsibilities such as Alamo security.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6529591,"DPS director reports lower border apprehensions, active protest response and pending Homeland Security division",760,4924000,5684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05&start=4924&end=5684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05/thumbnail_4924000.jpg","/articles/6529591/Texas/DPS-director-reports-lower-border-apprehensions-active-protest-response-and-pending-Homeland-Security-division","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529591-50c6ae29f08f1641aa680a5bae36c4c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770775848&Signature=o2kRW8WRwCybYLCclGEsndYwSJDV3x0NC~ncC9~240e8JUe1YAMfUqF67lbiyRN4kzishbQpyxKFYS7BD0X8m86EGRp0VdSVgtKj4nVg1Mx~SChNJVyW7It05b4Yp0FRAFQHbMbVP7rstZ~I~OdlvYiea8T2uyi23MneIV~esSbjom09kokj-EtvKjNLOFFOgH24sTCfnnbrzLXyeGHfdJdQEOZgSW3nREDs3MJBxU5shH2qNhZ2YEAXIIsMsKlXS6W8xwjy7UFKAZttFd3bwiX49M9AMXhmngxhS19OEnFyiiXPsjWegArmQy6--PfoKG9hMnJbqv7g2aV6cQx8wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Colonel Martin delivered the director’s report at the June Public Safety Commission meeting, outlining recent operational metrics at the border, the Department’s posture for planned protests and a pending Homeland Security division created by the 80th Legislature.

Colonel Martin said DPS troopers made 438 criminal arrests in roughly the last five weeks, turned over 392 migrant apprehensions to U.S. Border Patrol, conducted 41 vehicle pursuits and 22 bailouts, and seized about 396 pounds of illicit drugs, $127,000 in cash and 36 firearms. He described those levels as “at an all time low” compared with earlier years and said average daily apprehensions across nine Border Patrol sectors are about 230 per day; when California, Arizona and New Mexico were separated from the Texas sectors he said the Texas sectors average under 100 apprehensions per day. “So it’s getting better instead of worse as time goes on,” Colonel Martin said.

The director said DPS continues to work with federal partners (FBI, HSI, ICE) and local task forces on national‑security priorities including anti‑gang and drug investigations and that several border‑related activities are being resourced across the agency.

Colonel Martin also briefed commissioners on civil unrest tied to anti‑immigration and anti‑ICE protests nationwide. He said the department has daily coordination calls with local police chiefs and federal partners and that recent legislative funding increased DPS capacity for responses. The governor’s office announced deployment numbers during the event period that Colonel Martin cited: more than 2,000 troopers and approximately 5,000 National Guard personnel available as force multipliers. He said the department tracked more than 50 planned protests in the weekend period the presentation covered and that DPS and city police made arrests and identified bad actors for later prosecution; he noted five arrests in Austin by DPS and nine by Austin Police Department, along with three officers injured during one demonstration.

On the Homeland Security program, Colonel Martin summarized Senate Bill 36 as establishing a Homeland Security Division within DPS (the department already maintains a smaller Homeland Security office). He said the statutory change adds personnel and capacity — a 19‑FTE increase and funding to coordinate planning for border security and other statewide infrastructure and preparedness tasks — and noted that the bill had not been signed by the governor at the time of the meeting; the commission was told a fuller briefing would be provided at the next meeting.

Commissioners asked operational questions about uniformed presence at the Capitol and about use of DPS facilities for future events; Colonel Martin and other staff said intelligence and planning were “spot on” for the session, commended coordination with Austin police, and confirmed follow‑up scheduling to balance use of training calendars with other field obligations.

The director’s update closed with Colonel Martin thanking commission members and staff for support and noting ongoing multiagency coordination on protests and border operations.","Colonel Martin told the Public Safety Commission that several border metrics are trending down, the department is preparing for nationwide immigration‑related protests, and the Legislature authorized a Homeland Security division pending gubernatorial action.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6529596,"Public Safety Commission honors troopers and staff with service and lifesaving awards",1704,1889000,3593000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05&start=1889&end=3593","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3798046-e33fb36a163b24b8c5d8a35e75d2bc05/thumbnail_1889000.jpg","/articles/6529596/Texas/Public-Safety-Commission-honors-troopers-and-staff-with-service-and-lifesaving-awards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6529596-0ac1fde761e35f9db8b37dc704d05370/orig.mp4?Expires=1770775848&Signature=Is3mEMepHrXHvsDUQkprqTbl2w9Az4h0BXRq2gYSTXLZOqjjqz2V4ooxzKMA3NvoNYktquH8xDEnTPy9KNiKPhKN7quJ3a8EI9EtialZ~~JS1XZx1s0NO3niNeSCx42U~0pKWQYZ9s0Ebgy2Dg8X~cT69Fj3T4lGd3jDSOapG0wCyhqu2IJ2Zf5yrxfEmxBRyUplqoanTEeaOKH-rqGw3LpgzQ9fF3PC-jlPLq2~kRI0IHIkj3Q3HWhHclWeAq4McZ6u81InRxfmhx7twBAoFnhj2GO2DYeXY~Ep2cDHO4aG-0dDFXC5wJFzz4S1qUz-fx53aBs1-ZCgtOwj0XmwsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Public Safety Commission recognized multiple Department of Public Safety employees and partner agents with service awards and citations at its June meeting in Austin.

Commission Chairman Mach opened the presentations by thanking award recipients and their families, saying the ceremonies are “the highlight for the commission” for recognizing service and sacrifice. Colonel Martin and other DPS presenters then summarized individual citations and unit honors.

Why it matters: the awards highlighted on-duty rescues, life‑saving responses, long-term service milestones and laboratory work supporting criminal investigations. Several citations cited direct public safety outcomes — rescues from fast-moving water, location and recovery of missing children, immediate lifesaving first aid, and DNA work that produced database hits supporting investigations.

Among the recognitions presented: Trooper Javier Arana Jr. was memorialized when DPS renamed its top trooper competition in his honor after his on-duty death; winners of this year’s Javier Arana Jr. Top Trooper competition were named (the presentation listed a top female and top male competitor). Lead Lisonbee specialist Kiana Bailey received the 2025 Adolf Thomas Distinguished Service Award for sustained contributions in the Driver License Division. Tactical Flight Officer Dustin Gardner received the Adolf Thomas Distinguished Service Award for leadership and training in aerial operations. Trooper Danny Nunez and three U.S. Border Patrol agents were cited for a July 2024 swift‑water rescue that recovered two people from a canal. Lieutenant Pilot Clay Lacy and Sergeant TFO Eric Gunnels received Lifesaving Awards for locating and directing ground units to three missing children after a near‑12 hour search. Troopers Colton Perales and Bridal Starr were awarded lifesaving citations for performing CPR and reviving an individual at a restaurant. Senior Trooper Brian Freeman received a Lifesaving Award for extracting injured children from the scene of a fiery crash and providing on‑scene care. The Houston DNA Section received a unit citation for CODIS entries and turnaround improvements that the presentation said resulted in thousands of database hits, hundreds of forensic hits and dozens of conviction matches over recent years.

Presenters noted the top trooper contest tests driving, firearms, fitness and job knowledge; the event has grown since 2012 to more than 100 competitors and is used as a leadership and recruiting opportunity for DPS and partner agencies. Chairman Mach and Colonel Martin acknowledged family members and partners who attended the ceremony.

The commission recessed for five minutes after the presentations and reconvened to continue the regular agenda.","The Public Safety Commission recognized troopers, pilots, crime-lab staff and others for long service, distinguished service, lifesaving responses and unit performance during its June meeting in Austin.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Public Safety Commission approves seized‑fund spending, reappointments, contested‑case decisions and consent items

Commission adopts rules to implement Texas crime‑lab records portal (SB 991)

DPS finance chief previews $4.4B biennial budget, 400 new positions and program funding from Legislature

DPS director reports lower border apprehensions, active protest response and pending Homeland Security division

Public Safety Commission honors troopers and staff with service and lifesaving awards