Relating to the rural sheriff's office and rural constable's office salary assistance grant programs.

89(R) HB 2115 - Engrossed version - Bill Text

89R21009 MZM-D

By: Ashby, Morales of Maverick, Spiller

H.B. No. 2115

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the rural sheriff's office and rural constable's office

salary assistance grant programs.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 130.911(e) and (h), Local Government

Code, are amended to read as follows:

(e) A county that is awarded a grant shall use or authorize

the use of the grant money only:

(1) to provide a minimum annual salary of at least:

(A) $75,000 for the county sheriff;

(B) $45,000 for each deputy who makes motor

vehicle stops in the routine performance of their duties; [
and
]

(C) $40,000 for each jailer whose duties include

the safekeeping of prisoners and the security of a jail operated by

the county;
and

(D)

$40,000 for each telecommunicator, as

defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code, employed by the

county sheriff;

(2) to increase the salary of a person described by

Subdivision (1);

(3) to hire additional deputies or staff for the

sheriff's office; or

(4) to purchase vehicles, firearms, and safety

equipment for the sheriff's office.

(h) The comptroller shall adopt rules necessary to

implement this section, including rules that establish:

(1) a standardized application process, including the

form to be used to apply for a grant and the manner of submitting the

form;

(2) deadlines for:

(A) applying for the grant;

(B) disbursement of grant money; and

(C) spending grant money; and

(3) procedures for:

(A) monitoring the disbursement of grant money to

ensure compliance with this section
, including a requirement that

the county auditor or other appropriate county officer report to

the comptroller's office on the disbursement and compliance
; and

(B) the return of grant money that was not used by

a county for a purpose authorized by this section.

SECTION 2. Section 130.912(g), Local Government Code, is

amended to read as follows:

(g) The comptroller shall adopt rules necessary to

implement this section, including rules that establish:

(1) a standardized application process, including the

form to be used to apply for a grant and the manner of submitting the

form;

(2) deadlines for:

(A) applying for the grant;

(B) disbursement of grant money; and

(C) spending grant money;

(3) procedures for:

(A) monitoring the disbursement of grant money to

ensure compliance with this section
, including a requirement that

the county auditor or other appropriate county officer report to

the comptroller's office on the disbursement and compliance
; and

(B) the return of grant money that was not used by

a county for a purpose authorized by this section; and

(4) standards to determine if a constable is a

qualified constable.

SECTION 3. Section 130.911(e), Local Government Code, as

amended by this Act, applies only to the award of a grant to a county

under the rural sheriff's office salary assistance grant program

during a fiscal year of the county that begins on or after the

effective date of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.