The bill would amend Chapter 130 of the Local Government Code, adding sections that establish grant programs to provide financial assistance to sheriff departments, constable's offices, district attorneys, criminal district attorneys, and county attorneys with criminal prosecution duties. It requires the Comptroller to administer the Rural Sherriff's Department Salary Assistance Grant Program, and award grants between $250,000 and $500,000 to eligible counties with a population of less than 300,000 people. The grant funding must be used to provide specified minimum salaries, give salary increases, hire additional deputies or staff for the department, or to purchase equipment for the sheriff's department or constable's office.
The bill also requires the Comptroller to administer the Rural Prosecutor's Office Salary Assistance Grant Program, and to award grants between $100,000 and $275,000 to eligible counties with a population of less than 300,000 people. The grant funding must be used to supplement the salary of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney with criminal prosecution duties, or increase the salary of assistant attorneys, investigators, or victim assistance coordinators, or to hire additional staff.
Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 1, 88th Legislative Session, include $330,800,000 for county law enforcement contingent on the enactment of legislation relating to providing counties with additional law enforcement resources by the Eighty-eighth Legislature, Regular Session.
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time.