Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has announced the allocation of approximately $254 million in grants aimed at supporting rural law enforcement and prosecutor offices. This initiative is part of a broader program designed to provide supplemental salaries to sheriff’s departments, constable’s offices, and district and county attorney’s offices in eligible counties.

The funding stems from the Rural Law Enforcement Grant Program, which was established by the 88th Texas Legislature during its Regular Session through Senate Bill 22. The bill allocated $330 million for the 2024-25 biennium to fund this program under the leadership of the Comptroller's office.

In fiscal year 2024, which concluded on August 31, $125.9 million was awarded to 502 grant recipients, including qualified counties and prosecutor offices. An additional $128.7 million was distributed to 519 grant recipients in fiscal year 2025.

"This program has added a layer of support for many rural law enforcement and prosecutor offices that have lacked the resources they need to attract and retain personnel or to buy much-needed safety equipment," said Hegar. He emphasized his gratitude towards the Legislature for entrusting his agency with this responsibility.

The grant program specifically targets counties with populations of 300,000 or less. It includes several components:

- The Rural Sheriff's Department Salary Assistance Grant provides between $250,000 and $500,000 for specified minimum salaries, salary increases, hiring additional deputies or staff, or purchasing safety equipment.

- The Rural Constable's Office Salary Assistance Grant ensures a minimum salary of $45,000 for elected constables involved in motor vehicle stops.

- The Rural Prosecutor's Office Salary Assistance Grant offers between $100,000 and $275,000 to increase salaries or hire additional staff.

For more information on the grant program, interested parties can visit the Comptroller's website.

Information from this article can be found here.