Relating to establishing a grant program to equip motor vehicles used by peace officers with certain bullet-resistant components.
ModeratePlan for compliance
Low Cost
Effective:2025-06-20
Enforcing Agencies
Criminal Justice Division (Office of the Governor)
01
Compliance Analysis
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
Implementation Timeline
Effective Date: June 20, 2025
Compliance Deadline:Immediate upon grant application. Vendors must align product specifications with grant requirements before agencies submit applications (expected Q3 2025).
Agency Rulemaking: The CJD is currently establishing eligibility criteria and application protocols. We are in a regulatory gray zone until the CJD publishes the specific ballistic standards (e.g., NIJ levels) required for reimbursement.
Immediate Action Plan
Audit Inventory: Immediately categorize your ballistic glass and panel inventory by NIJ protection level to prepare for the CJD's technical requirements.
Update Quote Templates: Create specific line-item quotes that separate grant-eligible items (windows/doors) from ineligible items (sirens/lights) to prevent application rejection.
Monitor eGrants: Assign a compliance officer to monitor the Office of the Governor’s eGrants portal daily for the release of the Request for Applications (RFA).
Verify Warranty Impact: Confirm with OEM manufacturers that your specific installation methods for these heavy components do not void factory powertrain or suspension warranties.
Operational Changes Required
Contracts
Contingency Clauses: Vendors must amend sales agreements with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) to include "Subject to Grant Award" contingencies. Do not recognize revenue until the LEA receives the CJD award letter.
Payment Terms: Shift payment terms for grant-funded projects to Net-60 or Net-90. State grants operate on a reimbursement basis; agencies will not have the cash to pay vendors until the state reimburses them.
Hiring/Training
Sales Engineering: Sales teams must be trained to stop selling on "general safety" and start selling on "grant compliance." They must be able to assist LEAs in drafting the technical justifications required for the grant application.
Liability/GVWR Training: Installation technicians must be trained to verify that the added weight of ballistic glass and panels does not exceed the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which creates significant liability exposure.
Reporting & Record-Keeping
VIN-Specific Documentation: The law requires proof of *installation*, not just purchase. Invoices must be itemized by Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Audit Trail: Maintain all grant-related records, including proof of NIJ compliance and installation work orders, for a minimum of 7 years to satisfy state audit requirements.
Fees & Costs
Cash Flow Impact: Vendors must be prepared to carry the accounts receivable costs during the gap between installation and state reimbursement.
No New Fees: There are no new state fees imposed on businesses by this bill.
Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations
Ballistic Standards: The statute uses the vague term "bullet-resistant." It does not specify a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) protection level (e.g., IIIA vs. III vs. IV). If the CJD mandates a level higher than your product offers, your inventory will be ineligible.
Funding Availability: The Fiscal Note indicates "indeterminate cost" and "subject to available money." If the Legislature did not appropriate specific riders, the CJD may cap the dollar amount per vehicle, potentially requiring agencies to cover the difference.
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Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
During the 87th Regular Session, the Texas Legislature passed S.B. 2222, which appropriated funds to equip all Department of Public Safety highway patrol vehicles with lifesaving bullet‑resistant glass and front door panels for increased officer safety. However, the bill author has informed the committee that Texas has seen a rise in violence against law enforcement, citing that multiple officers have been shot and killed through the glass of their patrol vehicles since 2013. The bill's author has further informed the committee that with officer safety remaining a top priority, many law enforcement agencies in Texas have ordered additional bullet-resistant components for their vehicles or are searching for funding options to obtain them. H.B. 2217 seeks to resolve this issue by establishing a grant program administered by the governor's criminal justice division to enhance officer safety and reduce fatalities by equipping local law enforcement vehicles with bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, and door panels.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
H.B. 2217 amends the Government Code to require the governor's criminal justice division to establish and administer a grant program to provide financial assistance to a law enforcement agency to purchase and install motor vehicles used by peace officers of the law enforcement agency in discharging the officers' official duties with bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, rear windows, and door panels. The bill requires the criminal justice division to establish the following regarding the program:
·eligibility criteria for grant applicants;
·grant application procedures;
·guidelines relating to grant amounts;
·procedures for evaluating grant applications; and
·procedures for monitoring the use of a grant awarded under the program and ensuring compliance with any conditions of a grant.
The bill requires a law enforcement agency receiving such a grant, as soon as practicable after spending the grant money, to provide to the criminal justice division proof of purchase and installation, as applicable, of bullet-resistant windshields, side windows, rear windows, or door panels and authorizes the criminal justice division to use any available money to implement the program.
Honorable Cole Hefner, Chair, House Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB2217 by Wharton (Relating to establishing a grant program to equip motor vehicles used by peace officers with certain bullet-resistant components.), As Introduced
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time. There would be an indeterminate cost related to the grant program authorized by the bill which would be dependent on the number of grant applications and appropriations made for this purpose.
The bill would amend Government Code to establish a grant program to equip vehicles used by peace officers with bullet-resistant components. The grant program would be administered by the Criminal Justice Division within the Office of the Governor (OOG). Law enforcement agencies receiving a grant would provide proof of purchase and installation of the bullet-resistant components.
It is assumed that any costs associated with the administration of the program could be absorbed using existing resources.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
300 Trusteed Programs Within the Office of the Governor, 405 Department of Public Safety
LBB Staff:
JMc, MGol, LCO, KCu
Related Legislation
Explore more bills from this author and on related topics
HB2217 immediately authorizes the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division (CJD) to administer grants funding bullet-resistant windshields, windows, and door panels for law enforcement vehicles. This legislation creates a specific revenue stream for defense suppliers and vehicle upfitters, but access to funds is strictly contingent upon adherence to forthcoming CJD eligibility rules and proof-of-installation mandates. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: June 20, 2025 Compliance Deadline: Immediate upon grant application.
Q
Who authored HB2217?
HB2217 was authored by Texas Representative Trey Wharton during the Regular Session.
Q
When was HB2217 signed into law?
HB2217 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.
Q
Which agencies enforce HB2217?
HB2217 is enforced by Criminal Justice Division (Office of the Governor).
Q
How urgent is compliance with HB2217?
The compliance urgency for HB2217 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
Q
What is the cost impact of HB2217?
The cost impact of HB2217 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
Q
What topics does HB2217 address?
HB2217 addresses topics including law enforcement, vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--equipment, vehicles & traffic--general and peace officers.
Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025
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