Relating to creation of a grant program for certain peace officers who hold a master proficiency certificate.

Contracts

• Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs): Review CBAs and Meet & Confer agreements immediately. You must determine if this $6,500 grant constitutes "base pay" for the purposes of overtime calculations, pension contributions, or step increases.
• Disclaimer Clauses: Update internal compensation policies to explicitly state that this stipend is "contingent upon the availability of state appropriations" to prevent the agency from becoming liable for the payment if state funding is exhausted.

Hiring/Training

• Certification Timing: Training Coordinators must identify officers nearing Master Proficiency status. Ensure final TCOLE certification dates fall on or after June 20, 2025. Certificates issued prior to this date are ineligible for the grant.
• Roster Management: Implement a trigger system to notify Grant Administrators the moment a Master Proficiency Certificate is issued to ensure "first-come, first-served" access to funds.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Grant Packets: For every applicant, maintain a specific audit file containing:
• 1. Proof of full-time employment status.
• 2. Certified copy of the Master Proficiency Certificate.
• 3. Payroll records proving the full $6,500 disbursement.
• Non-Duplication: Verify the officer has not received this grant previously at another agency; the statute limits this to one award per officer lifetime.

Fees & Costs

• Employer Tax Burden: While the grant covers the $6,500 payment, it does not explicitly cover the employer's share of payroll taxes (FICA/Medicare). Finance departments must budget for approximately $500 per award in unrecovered tax costs unless CJD rules state otherwise.
• Revenue Coding: Establish restricted revenue and payroll codes to ensure these funds are not commingled with the general fund.