Bill > HB1445

This bill establishes a law enforcement officer recruitment fund within Tennessee's state general fund to help local law enforcement agencies address staffing shortages. The fund will be administered by the Office of Criminal Justice Programs and will provide grants to city, municipal, or county law enforcement agencies that have vacancies in 10% or more of their funded officer positions. The department will develop procedures for grant applications, including criteria for determining grant amounts, eligible expenditures, and reporting requirements. Agencies can only use the grants specifically for recruitment purposes. The fund can receive both public and private donations, and any unspent money will carry forward to the next fiscal year. The state treasurer will invest the fund's moneys, with any generated interest remaining in the fund. Importantly, the bill specifies that no funds will be obligated or spent unless specifically appropriated by the general appropriations act, and the law will take effect on July 1, 2026. The bill aims to help local law enforcement agencies address recruitment challenges by providing financial support for their hiring efforts.

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1445&ga=114