The bill would amend Chapter 130 of the Local Government Code, adding sections that establish three grant programs to provide financial assistance to sheriff departments, constable's offices, and prosecutor's offices. 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 requires the Comptroller to administer the Rural Constable's Office Salary Assistance Grant Program to provide financial assistance to constable's offices. The grant funding must be used to provide a minimum salary of $45,000 to an elected constable who makes motor vehicle stops in the routine performance of the constable's duties.
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 increase the salary of assistant attorneys, investigators, and victim assistance coordinators, or to hire additional staff.
Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill 1, 88th Legislative Session, includes $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.