Committee approves grant program for ballistic glass in patrol vehicles after survivor testimony

The Public Safety and Homeland Security committee voted to advance House Bill 967, which would create a grant program administered by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) to help law enforcement agencies install ballistic (ballistic‑resistant) glass in patrol vehicles, subject to appropriations.

Representative Jordan Ridley, the sponsor, described the bill as a short, targeted measure to allow agencies to request grants "subject to appropriations" to put ballistic glass into vehicles. He said the program’s operation would depend on available state funds.

Law enforcement witnesses urged support. Paulding County Sheriff Henson recounted the Aug. 17, 2024, killing of Deputy Brandon Cunningham while responding to a domestic call and said access to grant funding would be "paramount to keeping our men and women safe." Sheriff Henson argued that cover provided by ballistic glass can prevent rounds from penetrating patrol vehicles.

Dr. Clifford Dorn, founder of Operation SafeShield, described Texas’s experience equipping vehicles through state appropriations and private grants. He said Texas initially appropriated $25,000,000 and later $27,000,000 to equip trooper vehicles and that his nonprofit has supported more than 150 local vehicles through private grants. He told the committee the product demonstrated in live fire testing can stop many rifle and handgun rounds under typical windshield angles.

Deputy Keith Bitts, who survived an ambush on May 31, 2025, credited ballistic glass with saving his life: "I'm alive today because I had ballistic glass." He described taking multiple rounds to his windshield and said a younger deputy who lacked the glass could have been killed.

David Cavender of Dana Safety Supply, a company that supplies the glass, answered technical questions and said the commonly funded package—windshield, two front side windows and front door panels—adds about 200 pounds to a vehicle and costs roughly $10,000 per vehicle in current bulk pricing. Witnesses said NIJ‑rated level 3a glass is the baseline used in the grant program and that higher ratings are available at additional cost.

Committee members asked about grant criteria, prioritization for smaller or rural departments, and whether agencies would receive identical equipment; sponsors said CJCC would set grant criteria and distribution. The committee moved and approved the measure by voice vote.