BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1858

By: Hagenbuch

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Under current state law, the bulletproof vest and body armor grant program provides financial assistance to law enforcement agencies in Texas seeking to equip officers with bulletproof vests, ballistic plates, and plate carriers. However, statutory provisions governing this grant program do not explicitly extend eligibility to apply for a grant under the program to independent school districts. The bill sponsor has informed the committee that school-based law enforcement officers play a crucial role in student and community safety and that, while some independent school districts may allocate their own funding for protective equipment, many small or underfunded districts may struggle to secure the necessary resources to adequately protect their officers. S.B. 1858 seeks to address concerns regarding the safety of school-based law enforcement officers, ensure these officers have the same protective equipment as other law enforcement personnel, and create safer school environments by explicitly providing for the eligibility of independent school districts to apply for a grant under the bulletproof vest and body armor grant program.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 1858 amends the Government Code to define "law enforcement agency" for purposes of eligibility for the bulletproof vest and body armor grant program as an agency of the state or an agency of a political subdivision of the state authorized by law to employ peace officers, including an independent school district.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.