H.B. No. 318 proposes the establishment of a Rural Sheriff's Deputy Shortage Relief Grant Program aimed at providing financial assistance to sheriff's departments in qualified rural counties in Texas. The bill introduces new definitions and criteria for determining eligibility, including the "deputy-to-resident ratio" and "investigator-to-patrol ratio," which must meet specific thresholds for counties with populations of 300,000 or less. The comptroller will administer the grant program, allowing qualified counties to apply for funding to support the hiring of deputy sheriffs, investigators, emergency dispatchers, and investigative support staff. The bill outlines the application process, grant amounts, and stipulations on how the funds can be used, including minimum salary requirements for positions funded by the grants.

Additionally, the bill sets a cap on the total amount of grants awarded in a state fiscal year at $150 million and mandates that the comptroller adopt rules for implementing the program. It specifies that counties cannot apply for grants before September 1, 2026, and the act will take effect on September 1, 2025. The legislation aims to enhance law enforcement capabilities in rural areas by addressing staffing shortages and ensuring adequate resources for sheriff's departments.

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