(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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(Round Rock, TX) – The Texas State Troopers Association (TSTA) is pleased to announce that the application period for the 2025 TSTA Scholarship Program has opened and will run through May 30, 2025.

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This year, TSTA will award ten scholarships of $500 each to deserving students pursuing higher education. The scholarship program is open to students entering or currently enrolled in an accredited college. Applicants must be sponsored by a TSTA member to be eligible.

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Application Requirements:

• Applicants must be entering or currently enrolled in an accredited college.
• A letter from the applicant’s TSTA member-sponsor, which may include a parent.
• College transcripts for applicants already enrolled or high school transcripts for incoming college freshmen.
• A description of applicant’s participation in academic, honorary, civic, or extracurricular activities in college or in high school for incoming freshmen.
• An essay about the applicant's relationship with their TSTA member-sponsor, current education goals, and future aspirations in their subject/training area.
• Two to three letters of recommendation from the past year written by high school or college faculty, employers, or other appropriate references unrelated to the applicant.

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“We are proud to support the educational goals of students in our TSTA family,” said Rohnnie Shaw, Executive Director of TSTA. “Investing in education is investing in the future, and we are honored to help these young men and women pursue their dreams.”

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The application is available for download from www.texasstatetroopers.org/scholarship.

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Any employee of the Department of Public Safety who is not yet a member but is interested in joining TSTA can visit www.texasstatetroopers.org or contact TSTA’s office at (512) 450-1814 with questions.

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Completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted by May 30, 2025, via mail to TSTA attn: Scholarship Applications, 2261 Gattis School Rd., Ste 250, Round Rock, TX 78664, or by email to JoAnne@texasstatetroopers.org.

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