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

HB 2951 establishes a state grant program to help rural counties pay for minimum salaries for sheriff's and constable's office staff. The bill sets specific annual salary requirements: $75,000 for sheriffs, $45,000 for deputies making traffic stops, $40,000 for jailers and emergency dispatchers in sheriff's offices, and $45,000 for constables and $40,000 for emergency dispatchers in constable's offices. Counties receiving the grant must use funds exclusively for these salaries, hiring additional staff, or purchasing equipment, while contributing at least 75% of the required salary cost themselves. The comptroller will administer the program with standardized application rules, deadlines, and monitoring procedures.