The bill amends the Local Government Code to expand the eligibility criteria for counties to participate in the rural sheriff's office and rural prosecutor's office salary assistance grant programs. Specifically, it raises the population threshold for "qualified counties" from 300,000 to 400,000. This change allows counties with populations of up to 400,000 to qualify for grants, which are awarded based on population size. The grant amounts are also adjusted, with new tiers introduced for counties with populations between 300,000 and 400,000, allowing them to receive up to $650,000 for sheriff's offices and $375,000 for prosecutor's offices.

Additionally, the bill modifies the definitions of "qualified county" and "qualified prosecutor's office" to reflect the new population criteria. The comptroller is tasked with awarding grants to eligible counties and prosecutor's offices that apply, using appropriated funds. The bill is set to take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if such a vote is not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 130.911, Local Government Code 130.913 (Local Government Code 130)