Texas State Troopers are the front-line defenders of our state. They patrol the highways, fight transnational gangs, protect our schools, support local law enforcement, respond to natural disasters, and interdict cross-border human and drug smuggling. They don’t ask for much, but they need the right tools to do the job.

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At the Texas State Troopers Association, we’ve got their backs. That means standing up for them not just in the field, but also in the policymaking process. And right now, we’re encouraged by the major public safety investments included in the House-passed “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

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The House version of the bill provides $12 billion in reimbursements to help states like Texas recover the costs of securing the southern border, and the Senate may raise it further. That’s not a handout. It’s a recognition of the burden our state has carried for years, and a chance to ensure DPS and other agencies don’t have to rob one priority to fund another. This funding will help offset operational costs, cover equipment upgrades, and ease the pressure on officers already spread thin.

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It also continues support for federal funding streams that have helped DPS and local law enforcement agencies hire, train, and equip officers for decades. These aren’t flashy programs, but they work. They keep up with recruitment needs and make sure officers in the field have body armor, radios, and vehicles that function when it matters.

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Grants to local law enforcement partners make troopers’ jobs easier. When local agencies are better equipped, trained, and prepared, it strengthens the entire public safety network. Coordination at every level keeps communities safer and allows troopers to focus on their critical roles.

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These investments strengthen our ability to respond quickly to emergencies, whether that’s a natural disaster, a major crime, or a public safety threat. They also help DPS and local agencies keep pace with the rapid growth and evolving challenges Texas faces every year.

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These are the kinds of investments that protect families, neighborhoods, and local economies. They’re not political. They’re practical, and they deliver results.

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As the bill is moving in the Senate, we’re urging lawmakers to protect these priorities—including the programs that law enforcement relies on to stay trained, prepared, and mission-ready. At a time when threats are growing more complex, we should be stepping up our investment in public safety—not scaling back the very programs that help keep Americans safe. 

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There are still lots of discussions ahead on what makes it into the final version, but those negotiations shouldn’t come at the expense of the funding that keeps our communities secure and our officers equipped to respond.

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This isn’t about politics—it’s about readiness. Our members, Texas State Troopers and noncommissioned DPS employees, are keeping us all safe, doing their duty without excuse. Congress should do the same. That means passing a final bill that keeps law enforcement funding strong, border reimbursements intact, and programs in place to fully equip our officers to handle the challenges ahead.

(Round Rock, TX) – The Texas State Troopers Association (TSTA) issued a statement today recapping the 89th Texas Legislative Session, which brought important progress for the law enforcement community, despite leaving some key priorities unresolved.

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“TSTA worked tirelessly this legislative session to deliver meaningful wins for our members and for DPS officers and staff across Texas,” said Rohnnie Shaw, Executive Director of TSTA. “But while we’re encouraged by several legislative outcomes, we know there’s more work to be done, particularly around long-standing issues like a 13th check and a permanent, real cost-of-living adjustment for retirees. We’re committed to keeping those priorities at the forefront of our mission going forward.”

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Budget and Appropriations‍

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The state budget includes $326.4M in funding for 467 new commissioned officers and 159.5 new support staff, a much-needed investment in DPS’s workforce. Stipend increases were also approved, providing monthly boosts for education levels, TCOLE certification, and bilingual fluency. Officers will now be able to receive stipends for both education and certification simultaneously.

Other noteworthy funding allocated by SB 1 and HB 500 includes:

• $149M for Homeland Security grants
• $97M for disaster recovery and technology modernization
• $26.4M for new driver license offices, $28.5M for added staffing, and $13.8M for driver license services technology improvements
• $45M for replacement helicopters and $11.1M for a new fixed-wing aircraft
• $24M for critical DPS infrastructure and equipment upgrades
• $20.4M for body and vehicle camera systems
• $20.4M to expand DPS’s cold case capabilities
• $16.1M in merit and retention pay for noncommissioned staff

Retirement contributions were maintained, including:

• 9.5% state contribution and 0.5% agency contribution to ERS
• $510M in ERS legacy payments for each year of the biennium
• An additional $1 billion one-time payment to shore up the system through HB 500

Legislation of Note

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TSTA supported the passage of several bills aimed at improving the working conditions and legal protections for law enforcement. The following have all been sent to the Governor:

• HB 3033: Creates a DPS-managed grant program to support officers and families through nonprofit assistance.
  
  
• SB 2570: Establishes a legal justification for the use of less-lethal force weapons by correctional facility guards and peace officers while performing their official duties.
  
  
• HB 2434: Allows ERS members who joined before September 1, 2015, to receive service credit for each month they worked during a 90-day waiting period, even if they didn’t make retirement contributions during that time.
  
  
• SB 2383: Simplifies the rehiring of retired DPS commissioned officers, potentially making it easier for the department to bring back experienced personnel.
  
  
• SB 9: Expands the list of offenses ineligible for personal bond to include unlawful firearm possession, violation of family violence protective orders, terroristic threats, and murder related to fentanyl distribution. 

Relatedly, SJR 5 is a proposed Constitutional amendment that would allow judges to deny bail to defendants accused of murder, aggravated kidnapping, robbery or assault with a weapon. This amendment will be determined by voters in the November 4, 2025, election.

• HB 1871: Raises the penalty for attempted capital murder of a peace officer to a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 to 99 years or life in prison.
  
  
• SB 36 & SB 2514: Establish new units within DPS to address homeland security and hostile foreign actors.
  
  
• SB 1637: Protects a peace officer from liability for the offense of deadly conduct if the officer points their weapon at another person while lawfully carrying out their official duties.
  
  
• HB 2282: Increases warrant processing fees, which would aid jurisdictions in funding their law enforcement operations.

The following two bills have already been signed by the Governor and are effective immediately:

• HB 331: Adds a presumption of line-of-duty coverage for first responders who suffer strokes within 8 hours of a physically demanding shift.
  
  
• HB 48: Creates a specialized unit focused on oilfield equipment and machinery theft prevention.

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(AUSTIN, TX) – The Texas State Troopers Association (TSTA) applauds the Texas House for passing House Bill 886 on Second Reading, which provides a one-time supplemental payment of up to $2,000 to eligible retirees in the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS). After one final House vote, it will move to the Senate.

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This legislation brings some much-needed relief to retired state employees, including many TSTA members who dedicated their careers to protecting and serving the people of Texas.

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“We’re deeply grateful to Representative Cody Vasut and the bill’s supporters for recognizing the financial strain faced by retirees,” said Rohnnie Shaw, Executive Director of TSTA. “This supplemental payment is a meaningful step, and our members appreciate the House’s commitment to showing that their service still matters.”

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TSTA remains committed to advocating for a permanent, ongoing cost-of-living adjustment. State retirees have gone more than two decades without a real COLA — despite rising living costs and the increasing difficulty of making fixed retirement incomes stretch.

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“HB 886 is progress. We celebrate it, and we urge the Senate to pass it,” Shaw continued. “But it must be the beginning — not the end — of a serious, sustained conversation about retirement security for those who served Texas with honor.”

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