SECTION 16.300. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Applicant--For an entity that applies for a grant under Local Government Code, §130.911 or §130.912, a qualified county, or, for an entity that applies for a grant under Local Government Code, §130.913, a qualified prosecutor's office.

(2) County jailer--A person employed by the county sheriff as a licensed county jailer, under the provisions and requirements of Local Government Code, §85.005 and Occupations Code, §1701.301 whose duties include the safekeeping of prisoners and the security of a jail operated by the county.

(3) County sheriff--A person elected or appointed as the county sheriff and who performs the duties of the office after complying with Local Government Code, §85.001.

(4) Deputy sheriff--A person appointed as deputy sheriff pursuant to Local Government Code, §85.003 who performs motor vehicle stops in the routine performance of their duties.

(5) Fiscal year--The twelve consecutive calendar months during which an applicant tracks its finances for budget and accounting purposes.

(6) Grant--A grant awarded under this subchapter that is a rural sheriff's office salary assistance grant under Local Government Code, §130.911, a rural constable's office salary assistance grant under Local Government Code, §130.912, or a rural prosecutor's office salary assistance grant under Local Government Code, §130.913.

(7) Grant agreement--An agreement between the comptroller and a grant recipient that governs the terms of a grant.

(8) Grant recipient--A qualified county or a qualified prosecutor's office that receives a grant under this subchapter.

(9) Population--The population shown by the most recent federal decennial census.

(10) Qualified constable--A constable who meets the following standards:

(A) is elected to, and currently holds, an office created on or before January 1, 2023;

(B) performs motor vehicle stops in the routine performance of their duties for the majority of their time on duty; and

(C) meets all eligibility requirements to serve under Local Government Code, §86.0021, and Code of Criminal Procedure, article 2.12(2).

(11) Qualified county--A county with a population of 300,000 or less.

(12) Qualified prosecutor's office--An office of a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney with criminal prosecution duties whose jurisdiction has a population of 300,000 or less.

(13) Safety equipment--Any tangible equipment used by a sheriff's office that is necessary to protect the health and physical safety of a county sheriff or deputy sheriff or county jailer while performing their duties, and may include radio equipment or in-car camera systems added to previously owned vehicles, ballistic helmets, ballistic plates, ballistic shields, entry tools, body armor, medical gear & masks, outer carriers, pepper spray, plate carriers, personal alarm, riot batons, riot helmets, riot shields, body cameras, and miscellaneous safety gear which consists of door jams, disposable cuffs and knee pads.

(14) Victim Assistance Coordinator--The person designated to serve as victim assistance coordinator under Code of Criminal Procedure, article 56A.201, by a district attorney, criminal district attorney, or county attorney who prosecutes criminal cases and who is responsible for the duties listed in Code of Criminal Procedure, article 56A.202.

(15) Vehicle--A law enforcement vehicle used by a sheriff's office for transportation while performing duties of the office such as patrols, responses to calls for service, and transport of persons in custody, and includes equipment affixed to the vehicle for law enforcement purposes.

Source Note: The provisions of this §16.300 adopted to be effective January 11, 2024, 49 TexReg 141