TX HB318

Establishes the Rural Sheriff's Deputy Shortage Relief Grant Program administered by the comptroller to provide financial assistance to sheriff's departments in counties with populations of 300,000 or less that have deputy-to-resident ratios below 15 per 10,000 or investigator-to-patrol ratios below 1 to 5 as of January 1, 2025

Provides $50,000 per year for each qualified patrol deputy position and each qualified investigator position, plus an additional one-time $50,000 for new positions; $35,000 per year for each qualified emergency dispatcher and investigative support staff position

Requires grant funds be used to pay minimum annual salaries of at least $45,000 for deputy sheriffs and investigators, $30,000 for dispatchers and support staff, and to purchase vehicles, firearms, investigative tools, and safety equipment

Caps total program funding at $150 million per state fiscal year, with grants proportionally reduced if demand exceeds the cap; prohibits counties from reducing sheriff's department budgets the year after receiving a grant

Counties may submit one application per fiscal year within 30 days of their fiscal year start, with grant applications beginning September 1, 2026 and the act taking effect September 1, 2025