COPS on the Beat Grant Program Reauthorization and Parity Act of 2024

HR 6973 reauthorizes the COPS on the Beat grant program for fiscal years 2025-2034, with new provisions to support diverse hiring and better compensation for officers in rural communities. The bill provides increased federal funding (up to 90% in the first year, decreasing to 75% over four years) for jurisdictions with median household incomes below 80% of the national average. It sets a $75,000 cap on hiring costs per officer and limits compensation to 80% of the national median household income for qualifying rural areas. The legislation also requires the GAO to report on law enforcement workforce diversity and pay relative to local costs of living in 2029 and 2034. This bill directly affects local law enforcement agencies seeking federal grants to hire and retain officers, particularly in rural communities with lower median incomes.