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Lawmakers hear bill to create grant program for ballistic vehicle glass
Summary
A subcommittee heard testimony on HB 967, which would allow the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council to run grants (if funded) to help law enforcement agencies install ballistic glass in patrol vehicles; witnesses cited Texas experience and vendor testimony about costs and mobile installation options.
Representative Ridley introduced HB 967 (LC 630001), describing it as "a pretty short bill" to "create a grant program for law enforcement agencies to receive funding if appropriated by the General Assembly to install ballistic glass in their police vehicles." The program would be administered by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC), which he said would set eligibility and technical criteria.
Committee members asked about scale and cost. Chairman John Albers and others pressed for fleet numbers and unit prices; witnesses and the sponsor described typical costs ranging from roughly $6,000 for a ballistic windshield to about $10,000 to outfit a vehicle with windshield plus door panels. Representative Ridley said agencies would apply across the board and CJCC would handle award decisions.
David Gavender, a former Cobb County officer now working with vendors, said demonstrations showed the glass could withstand multiple rounds and that mobile installation teams used in Texas minimized vehicle downtime. "The windshields are generally less than about $4,000 installed," Gavender testified, and he noted nonprofit and private programs in Texas had funded many installations.
Vendor Dana Marsh said Texas initially assembled a $25 million purchase order for state patrol vehicles and that supplier scaling reduced per-unit prices: "State of Texas went ahead and got $25 million together at the very beginning for DPS," she said. Marsh described a model that uses mobile installation trailers and crews to service agencies and keep patrol cars in operation.
Members discussed funding options, including private donations, existing grant funds, and the possibility of state appropriations in future budgets. Several senators suggested the bill start as a program framework without immediate appropriations so the legislature could add funds later.
The subcommittee did not take a formal vote at the hearing but signaled it would forward the bill for further consideration. The sponsor and several members said they expected to work with CJCC, sheriff and chiefs' associations and vendors to refine eligibility and logistics before legislators consider appropriations.
