Federal Legislation

FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE SCORECARD

108TH CONGRESS, 2nd SESSION, July 2004

 Legislation under review, in order of issue, covering Firearms, COPS Program and DOJ Grant Funds, Homeland Security, Collective Bargaining, Law Enforcement Officer Due Process and Bill of Rights, Pension and Social Security Reform, Constitutional Amendments, Child Abduction and Youth Assistance, Criminal Justice, Witness Protection, Public Safety Officer Survivor Assistance, Law Enforcement and the Military, Interstate Rail Security and Federal Oversight

Firearm Legislation;

• H.R. 218 Victory!, (Duke Cunningham R-CA) Introduced January 7, 2003. The “Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.” A bill to amend Title 18, United States Code, to exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed firearms;

Recent Action: Passes House on June 23, 2004 and moves onto the Senate! On July 7th the bill passed the Senate and was sent to the President for his signature! The link below is for the actual bill text.

H.R. 218 as Passed by the House & Senate!

• S. 253 Support, (Ben Nighthorse Campbell R-CO / Orrin Hatch R-UT / Patrick Leahy D-VT) Introduced January 30, 2003. The “Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act.” Senate companion bill to H.R. 218

Recent Action: Passed Senate Judiciary 3/6/03, without amendments, 18-1. Currently enjoys 67 co-sponsors. Successfully added as an amendment to S. 1805, 91 – 8, but underlying bill defeated.

• H.R. 276 Support, (Virgil Goode R-VA) Introduced January 8, 2003. The “States' Rights and Second and Tenth Amendment Restoration Act.” A bill to repeal section 658 of Public Law 104-208, commonly referred to as the Lautenberg amendment;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

• H.R. 915 Monitoring, (Cliff Stearns R-FL) Introduced February 25, 2003. A bill to amend Title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a state may carry certain concealed firearms in the state, and to exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers from state laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Judiciary Committee, no co-sponsors.

• H.R. 990 Monitoring, (John Hostettler R-IN) Introduced February 27, 2003. A bill to amend Title 18 of the United States Code to provide for reciprocity in regard to the manner in which nonresidents of a state may carry certain concealed firearms in that State;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Judiciary Committee with the current support of 60 co-sponsors.

COPS Program, Department of Justice Grant Funding;

• S.Amdt. 32 Support, (Tom Harkin D-IA) Introduced January 16, 2003. An amendment to H.J.Res. 2, Omnibus Appropriations bill making funding for the FY2003 fiscal year, to restore funding for nondiscretionary Byrne Memorial Formula Grants to a level of $500,000,000 for FY2003.

Recent Action: On 1/17/03, the amendment was tabled (failed adoption) 52-46, Roll Call

vote. Ultimately, Byrne Formula grants were restored to $500 million in conference.

• S.Amdt. 2843, (Orrin Hatch R-UT / Joseph Biden D-DE) Introduced March 11, 2004. An Amendment to S.Con.Res. 95 (Senate Budget Resolution) to restore law enforcement assistance funding (COPS/Byrne/LLEBG/Juvenile) within the Department of Justice.

Recent Action: Approved via unanimous consent on March 11, 2004.

• S. 679 Support, (Joseph R. Biden Jr., D-DE) Introduced March 20, 2003. The “PROTECTION Act.” A bill to re-authorize the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Program through 2009;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee with 46 current co-sponsors. On March 21, 2003, full funding for the COPS Program was offered as an amendment

(S.Amdt. 25) to the Fiscal Year 2004 proposed budget resolution (S.Con.Res. 23) which reduces COPS funding by 82%. Failed adoption 48-52, Roll Call vote number 78.

• S. 764 Support (Ben Nighthorse Campbell R-CO) Introduced April 2, 2003. The “Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act.” A bill to re-authorize the BPVPG Program through 2007;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. NAPO attended Press Conference, Held by Representatives Visclosky and LoBiondo, 5/15/03. Passed Senate Judiciary Committee without amendments, 7/10/03. Passed Senate via unanimous consent, 7/15/03. Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary.

• S. 1065 Support, (Ben Nighthorse Campbell R-CO) Introduced May 14, 2003. The “Officer Dale Claxton Bulletproof Police Protective Equipment Act.” A bill authorizing the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance to make grants to States, local governments, and Indian tribes to purchase bullet resistant equipment for use by law enforcement officers;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

• H.R. 703 Monitoring, Recommend Support, (Jim Saxton R-NJ) Introduced February 11, 2003. The “Law Enforcement Partnership to Combat Terrorism Act.” A bill to provide for the use of COPS funds for state and local intelligence officers;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

• H.R. 1708 Support, (Peter Visclosky D-IN) Introduced April 10, 2003. The “Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act.” House companion bill to S. 764;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Judiciary Committee with the current support of 201 co-sponsors. NAPO attended Press Conference, Held by Representatives Visclosky and LoBiondo, 5/15/03.

• H.R. 2799 Monitoring, (Frank Wolf R-VA) Introduced July 21, 2003. The “FY 2004 Department of Justice Appropriations Act.” A bill making appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004;

Recent Action: On, 7/21/03, Passed House Committee on Appropriations. Passed House with amendments 400-21 via Roll Call vote, 422. Eventually rolled into the FY04 Omnibus Appropriations bill, H.R. 2673 which was enacted January, 2004. Of note, House bill cut all funding to COPS Hiring Program. Marked up by full Senate Appropriations Committee, 9/4/03, via manager’s amendment, funded Cops Hiring Program at $200 million. Pending full Senate consideration. 1/22/04, language added to the FY05 omnibus budget and passed by Congress.

• H.R. 3036 Monitoring (James Sensenbrenner R-WI) Introduced September 9, 2003. The “Department of Justice Re-authorization Act.” A bill authorizing appropriations for the Department of Justice for fiscal years 2004 through 2006. Of note, returns funding of the COPS Program to 1 billion dollars (Representative Anthony Weiner D-NY worked closely on this effort)

Recent Action: Passed House Judiciary Committee 2/24/04. Passed House via voice vote 3/30/04, referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Homeland Security;

• S. 45 Monitoring, Recommend Support, (Russell Feingold D-WI) Introduced January 7, 2003. A bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 creating the Office for State and Local Government Coordination to report on state and local priorities based on first responder needs and make recommendations regarding programs to assist State and local entities in carrying out functions under the Department of Homeland Security;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

• S. 87 Support, (Hillary R. Clinton D-NY) Introduced January 7, 2003. The “Homeland Security Block Grant Act.” A bill authorizing $3.5 billion to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to make grants to states, local governments and Indian

tribes to cover first responder overtime, facilitate equipment purchases, improve cyber and infrastructure security, develop Local Emergency Planning Committees, establish timely notification systems and improve communications systems. Of note, the bill sets forth provisions via formula, requiring 70% of grants go directly to more than 1,000 cities and counties across the United States with the remaining 30% going to states as a conduit for smaller communities;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee.

• S. 113 Monitoring, (Jon Kyl R-AZ) Introduced January 9, 2003. A bill to permit “Lone

Wolf” surveillance under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 relating to international terrorism;

Recent Action: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee 3/11/03 and Senate Select Intelligence Committee 5/7/2003. Passed Senate 5/8/2003, with amendment 90–4, Roll Call vote number 146. Referred to the House Committee on Select Intelligence.

• S. 266 Monitoring, (John Edwards D-NC) Introduced January 30, 2003. The “Antiterrorism Intelligence Distribution Act.” A bill to provide for the access and handling by personnel of State and local governments of classified information to facilitate preparation and response to terrorist attacks;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on Intelligence.

• S. 315 Monitoring, Recommend Support, (Patrick Leahy D-VT) Introduced February 5, 2003. The “First Responders Partnership Grant Act.” A bill authorizing the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), to make grants to states, local governments and Indian tribes to facilitate law enforcement homeland security efforts;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

• S.Amdt. 514 Support, (Charles Schumer D-NY / Hillary R. Clinton D-NY / Barbara Mikulski D-MD) Introduced April 3, 2003. An amendment to S. 762, The “Wartime Supplemental Appropriations Act,” to increase the appropriation for the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) of the Homeland Security Department by $2.33 billion;

Recent Action: On 4/3/03, the amendment was tabled (failed adoption) 51-46, Roll Call vote 123. The Senate instead accepted S.Amdt 515, introduced by Arlen Specter, 65-32, Roll Call vote 122, which increased funds to ODP by $200 million. The House companion bill to S. 762, H.R. 1559, became Public Law 108-11 on 4/16/2003.

• S. 609 Monitoring, (Patrick Leahy D-VT) Introduced March 12, 2003. The “Restoration of Freedom of Information Act.” A bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (Public Law 107-296) to provide for the protection of voluntarily furnished confidential information;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

• H.R. 277 Monitoring, (Virgil Goode R-VA) Introduced January 8, 2003. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense to assign members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, under certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions, to assist the Department of Homeland Security in the performance of border protection functions;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Armed Services and Homeland Security Committees.

• H.R. 764 Monitoring, (Ike Skelton D-MO) Introduced February 13, 2003. The First Responder Expedited Assistance Act.” A bill to appropriate funds for grants by the Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) of the Department of Homeland Security;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Appropriations Committee.

• H.R. 1463 Passed, (Richard Burr R-NC) Introduced March 27, 2003. The “Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act.” A bill to provide benefits for certain individuals (public safety and medical personnel) with injuries resulting from the administration of a smallpox vaccine;

Recent Action: Failed to pass House on March 31, 2003, 184-206, (2/3rds vote required for passage.) Compromise bill on compensation issue which offered improved compensation benefits, H.R. 1770, introduced April, 11, 2003, passed House and Senate same day and signed into law by President George W. Bush on April 30, 2003.

• H.R. 2370 Support, (Patrick Kennedy D-RI) Introduced June 5, 2003. The “National Resilience Development Act.” A bill to provide funding to address the psychological impact on local citizens and our nation in the preparing for, and in the aftermath of, a terrorist act and develop strategies to better disseminate information to crate a more educated public.

Recent Action: Refereed to the House Committees on Energy and Commerce, Judiciary and Transportation.

• H.R. 2512 Support, (John Sweeney R-NY) Introduced June 18, 2003. The “First Responders Funding Reform Act.” A bill to establish a realistic, threat-based allocation of grant funds for first responders.

Recent Action: Referred to House Judiciary Committee, Subcommittee hearing held 11/20/03. Bill language added to H.R. 3266 in its committee mark-up.

• H.R. 3266 Monitoring, (Chris Cox R-CA) Introduced October 8, 2003. The “Faster and

Smarter Funding for First Responders Act.” To authorize the Secretary of Homeland Security to make grants to first responders.

Recent Action: Referred to Homeland Security, Transportation, Energy and Commerce and Judiciary Committees. Subcommittee and full committee hearings held. Passed Homeland Security Committee (language of H.R. 2512 added) on 4/2/04. Pending passage by remaining committees.

Collective Bargaining;

• S. 606 Support, (Judd Gregg R-NH / Edward Kennedy D-MA) Introduced March 12, 2003. The “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act.” A bill to provide the ability of basic collective bargaining rights for state and local public safety officers; Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions with the current support of 27 co-sponsors. Passed by Senate HELP Committee, 10/02/03 by roll call vote.

• H.R. 814 Support, (Dale Kildee D-MI) Introduced February 13, 2003. The “Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act.” House companion bill to S. 606;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce with the support of 161 current co-sponsors.

Law Enforcement Officer Due Process and “Bill of Rights”;

• S. 1277, Support, (Joseph R. Biden, Jr. D-DE / Mitch McConnell R-KY / Lindsey Graham R-SC) Introduced June 18, 2003. The “State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline, Accountability, and Due Process Act.” A bill to enhance citizen complaint processes, ensure that police officers are provided the basic rights of job security against internal politics and are granted legal protection and basic due process rights during internal investigations and administrative hearings. Commonly referred to as the Law Enforcement Officers Bill of Rights.

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.

• S. 1818, Support, (Lindsey Graham R-SC) Introduced November 4, 2003. The “Law Enforcement Officers Due Process Act.” Senate Companion bill to H.R. 2135.

Recent Action: Referred to the senate Judiciary Committee.

• H.R. 2135 Support, (Ric Keller R-FL) Introduced May 15, 2003. The “Law Enforcement Officers Due Process Act.” A bill authorizing the Attorney General To provide grants to law enforcement agencies that ensure that law enforcement officers employed by such agency are afforded due process when involved in a case that may lead

to dismissal, demotion, suspension, or transfer;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary with the support of 13

co-sponsors.

• H.R. 2967 Support, (Jim Ramstad R-MN) Introduced July 25, 2003. The “State and Local Law Enforcement Discipline, Accountability, and Due Process Act.” House companion bill to S. 1277.

Recent Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Labor and Overtime Eligibility Rights;

• S.Amdt. 1580 Support, (Tom Harkin D-IA) Introduction September 5, 2003. An amendment to H.R. 2660, Department of Labor-HHS FY2004 Appropriations bill, prohibiting any funding to the DOL for the implementation of any regulation that exempts from overtime eligibility (Section 7, Fail labor Standards Act of 1938) any employee who is not otherwise exempted (under regulations in section 13, FLSA).

Recent Action: NAPO attended Press Conference, Held by Senators Harkin, Clinton, Mikulski, Schumer and Kennedy on 7/24/03. Considered by the full Senate 9/8/03 – 9/10/03. Passed Senate 54 – 45 via Roll Call Vote, 334. H.R. 2660 passed Senate same day. H.R. 2660 not taken up by House, rather the FY2004 Omnibus bill, H.R. 2673 was crafted which DID NOT include the Harkin Amendment within its Labor Department funding. FY2004 Omnibus passed House and Senate December ‘03 and January ‘04 respectively. April / May ’05, Senator Harkin planning to offer language of S.Amdt. 1580 to the FSC-ETI bill, S. 1637.

• H.Amdt. 220 Support, (David Obey D-WI) Introduced July 10, 2003. An amendment to

H.R. 2660, Department of Labor-HHS FY2004 Appropriations bill, prohibiting any funding to the DOL for the implementation of any regulation that exempts from overtime eligibility (Section 7, Fail labor Standards Act of 1938) any employee who is not otherwise exempted (under regulations in section 13, FLSA).

Recent Action: On 7/10/03, Obey Amendment failed 210-213, Roll Call vote 351.

• House Motion to Conferees, Support (David Obey D-WI) Introduced October 2, 2003. A non-binding “Sense of the House” motion directing the House Conferees to the Fiscal Year 2004 Labor H-H-S appropriations bill to agree to and maintain the Senate’s language concerning overtime eligibility rights;

Recent Action: Debated on the House floor, 10/02/03. Passed 221-203, Roll Call vt 531.

• 1st Senate Cloture Vote on FY2004 Omnibus, Held January 20, 2004. To end debate on the FY2004 Omnibus Appropriations bill, H.R. 2673.

•Recent Action: Cloture vote not achieved, 48 – 45, Roll Call Vt. 1. NAPO lobbied against cloture to continue debate for the addition of the Harkin Amendment.

• 2nd Senate Cloture Vote on FY2004 Omnibus, Held January 22, 2004. To end debate on the FY2004 Omnibus Appropriations bill, H.R. 2673.

Recent Action: Cloture vote achieved, 61 – 32, Roll Call Vt. 2. H.R. 2673 subsequently passed January 22, 2003, 65 – 28, Roll Call Vt. 3.

• S. 1485 Support, (Edward Kennedy D-MA / Tom Harkin D-IA) Introduced July 29, 2003. The “Overtime Compensation Protection Act.” A bill to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to protect the rights of employees to receive overtime compensation.

Recent Action: Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions with the current support of 20 co-sponsors. NAPO attended Press Conference, Held by Senators Harkin, Clinton, Mikulski, Schumer and Kennedy on 7/24/03.

• H.R. 2665 Support, (Peter King R-NY / George Miller D-CA) Introduced July 8, 2003. The “Overtime Compensation Protection Act.” House Companion bill to S. 1485.

Recent Action: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce with

the current support of 54 co-sponsors.

Pension and Social Security Reform;

• S. 363 Support, (Barbara Mikulski D-MD) Introduced February 11, 2003. The “Government Pension Offset Reform Act.” A bill to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to safeguard from the Social Security Government Pension Offset reduction the first $1,200 of combined monthly benefits for Americans who survive a public safety officer or

public employee who are also receiving certain Government pension benefits;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance with the current support of

28 co-sponsors.

• H.R. 887 Support, (William Jefferson D-LA) Introduced March 12, 2003. A bill to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to safeguard from the Social Security Government Pension Offset reduction the first $2,000 of combined monthly benefits for Americans who survive a public safety officer or public employee who are also receiving certain Government pension benefits;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Social Security with the current support of 125 co-sponsors. Subcommittee hearing on GPO and related pension issues held 5/1/03.

• S. 349 Monitoring, (Dianne Feinstein D-CA) Introduced February 11, 2003. The “Social Security Fairness Act.” A bill to amend Title II of the Social Security Act to totally repeal the Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance with the support of 30 cosponsors.

• H.R. 594 Monitoring, (Howard McKeon R-CA) Introduced February 5, 2003. The “Social Security Fairness Act.” House companion bill to S. 349;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Social Security with the current support of 295 co-sponsors. Subcommittee hearing on GPO and related pension issues held 5/1/03.

• H.Con.Res. 25 Monitoring, Recommend Support, (Mark Green R-WI) Introduced January 29, 2003. A non-binding resolution expressing the sense of the Congress that Social Security reform measures should not force state and local government employees into Social Security coverage;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on Social Security.

• H.R. 498 Monitoring, (Jim Sensenbrenner R-WI) Introduced January 29, 2003. The “Healthcare Empowerment for Local Personnel and Teachers Act.” A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employees of county and local governments and of schools to maintain medical savings accounts;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means with the support

of 12 co-sponsors.

• S. 819 Monitoring, (Barbara Mikulski D-MD) Introduced April 8, 2003. The “Law Enforcement Officers’ Retirement Equity Act.” A bill to redefine the term “law enforcement officer” under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to include: Federal employees not otherwise covered by such term who are authorized to carry a firearm and whose duties include the investigation / apprehension of suspected or convicted individuals; and such employees of the Internal Revenue Service whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on Government Affairs.

• H.R. 1776 Support, (Rob Portman R-OH / Ben Cardin D-MD) Introduced April 11, 2003. The “Pension Preservation and Savings Expansion Act.” To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, to expand and improve retirement savings vehicles, extend pension coverage through regulatory simplification and small business incentives, enhance fairness and pension portability, revitalize defined benefit plans, provide additional defined contribution plan protection and assist individuals in preserving their income throughout retirement;

Recent Action: No action expected this Congress due to bill’s overall cost. Representatives Portman and Cardin currently working on re-introducing the bill with fewer expenses. Previous Action: Passed House Ways and Means Committee 7/18/03 with amended to reduce overall cost, notably removing pension withdraws pre-tax for healthcare payments section. Removal of 10% penalty for early withdrawal from DB plans by public safety officers kept. Referred to House Education and Workforce Comm.

• H.R. 3055, Oppose, (Nick Smith R-MI) Introduced September 10, 2003. The “Social Security Solvency Act.” A bill to amend title II of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide prospectively for personalized retirement security through personal retirement savings accounts and to protect Social Security surpluses and for other purposes; Of Note, Under Title III, Section 304 of bill, calls for mandatory Social Security coverage on all newly hired state and local employees, including police.

Recent Action: Referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Constitutional Amendments;

• S.J.Res. 1 Support, (Jon Kyl R-AZ / Dianne Feinstein D-CA) Introduced January 7, 2003. A proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States to protect the rights of crime victims;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee with the current support of 24 co-sponsors. Hearing held 4/8/03. Passed Committee 9/4/03 with amendments.

S. 2329 Monitoring (Jon Kyl R-AZ / Dianne Feinstein D-CA) Introduced April 21, 2004. A bill to protect the right of violent crime victims (Same as S.J.Res 1 but passed as legislation rather than a Constitutional Amendment)

Recent Action: Passed by Senate 4/22/04, referred to House Judiciary Committee.

 • H.J.Res. 10 Support, (Edward Royce R-CA) Introduced January 7, 2003. House Companion bill to S.J.Res. 1;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

• S.J.Res. 4 Support, (Orrin Hatch R-UT) Introduced January 16, 2003. A proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States authorizing Congress to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee with the support of 56 cosponsors. Committee hearing held 3/4/04.

• H.J.Res. 4 Support, (Duke Cunningham R-CA) Introduced January 7, 2003. House companion bill to S.J.Res. 4;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Subcommittee on the Constitution with the support of 213 co-sponsors. Subcommittee hearing and markup held 5/7/03. Passed full House Judiciary Committee on 5/21/03, without amendment, 18 – 13. Passed House on 6/3/03, without amendment, 300 – 125. Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Child Abduction and Youth Assistance;

• S. 121 Support, (Kay Bailey Hutchinson R-TX) Introduced January 9, 2003. The “National AMBER Alert Network Act.” A bill to enhance the operation of the AMBER Alert communications network in order to facilitate the recovery of abducted children and provide for enhanced notification on highways of alerts and information on such children;

Recent Action: Passed Senate Judiciary Committee 1/21/03. Passed Senate, 1/21/03, without amendment, 92-0. Roll Call vote number 9. Referred to House Judiciary Committee but blocked by the Chairman in favor of H.R. 1104 consideration. Representative Frost offered a Discharge Petition (108-1) for S. 121 on 4/2/03.

• S. 151 Supported Passage, (Orrin Hatch R-UT) Introduced January 13, 2003. The “Prosecuting Remedies and Tools Against the Exploitation of Children Today Act.” Conference Committee accepted bill which included H.R. 1104 and of note, included authorization for the enhancement of a national AMBER Alert system and other related measures (See S. 152 and S. 226.);

Recent Action: Accepted by Conference Committee 4/10/03. Passed both houses and signed into law by President George W. Bush on 4/30/03.

• S. 1123 Support, (Barbara Boxer D-CA / Joseph R. Biden, Jr. D-DE) Introduced May 22, 2003. The “Violence Against Children Act.” A bill to provide enhanced Federal enforcement and assistance to state and local law enforcement in preventing and prosecuting crimes of violence against children.

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

• H.R. 412 Support, (Martin Frost D-TX) Introduced January 28, 2003. The “National AMBER Alert Network Act.” House companion bill to S.121;

Recent Action: Referred to Committee on the Judiciary with the support of 230  cosponsors but blocked by the Chairman in favor of H.R. 1104 consideration.

• H.R. 1104 Passed, (Jim Sensenbrenner R-WI) Introduced March 5, 2003. The “Child Abduction Prevention Act.” A bill to enhance wire tapping, sentencing and detaining authorities and creating laws against coercing minors into viewing internet porn and to implement a National AMBER Alert System;

Recent Action: Passed House Judiciary Committee, 3/18/03, with amendment, 18-2. Passed House 3/27/03, with amendments, 410-14. Joined in conference committee with S. 151.

• H.R. 1925 Support, (Phil Gingrey R-GA) Introduced May 1, 2003. The “Runaway, Homeless and Missing Children Protection Act.” A bill to reauthorize programs under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act and the Missing Children's Assistance Act;

Recent Action: Passed House 5/20/03, 404 – 14. Roll Call vote number 197. Passed by Senate Judiciary Committee and full Senate, 9/30/03. Signed by President 10/10/03 as Public Law No: 108-96.

• H.R. 2539 Support, (Juanita Millender-McDonald D-CA) Introduced June 19, 2003.  The “Violence Against Children Act.” House companion bill to S. 1123.

Recent Action: Referred to House Committees on Judiciary, Education and Workforce, and Ways and Means.

• H.R. 2582 Support, (Peter Deutsch D-FL) Introduced June 24, 2003. The “Foster Child Protection Act.” A bill to amend the State eligibility provisions for grants under section 106 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act to ensure that State foster care agencies meet certain requirements in immediately notifying local police if the agencies have knowledge that foster children under the responsibility of the State are missing;

Recent Action: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Criminal Justice;

• S. 152 Support, Passed in Part, (Joseph R. Biden, Jr. D-DE) Introduced January 14, 2003. The “DNA Sexual Assault Justice Act.” A bill to assess the extent of the backlog in DNA analysis of rape kit samples, financially assist in the quick completion of backlogged DNA rape kits and to improve investigation and prosecution of sexual assault

cases with DNA evidence;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee with the support of 22 cosponsors. Section 10, of S. 152, authorizing John Doe DNA indictments was included, in conference, as Section 611 in S. 151, the “PROTECT Act,” which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on 4/30/03.

• S. 192 Monitoring, Recommend Oppose, (John Corzine D-NJ) Introduced January 16, 2003. A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to provide for criminal and civil liability for permitting an intoxicated arrestee to operate a motor vehicle;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

• S. 226 Support, Passed, (Joseph R. Biden, Jr. D-DE) Introduced January 28, 2003. The

“Illicit Drug Anti-Proliferation Act.” A bill to extend the ‘crack house statute’ to those who knowingly run, operate or provide space for, raves or other events for the express use of selling and proliferating drugs and drug usage;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee. S. 226 was included, in conference, as Section 608 in S. 151, the “PROTECT Act,” which was signed into law by

President George W. Bush on 4/30/03.

• S. 402 Oppose, (Russell Feingold D-WI) Introduced February 13, 2003. The “Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act.” A bill to abolish the death penalty under federal law and reduce the ruling of any person sentenced to the death penalty, before the date of the bill’s enactment, to life in imprisonment without the possibility of parole;

Recent Action: Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

• S. 1177 Support, (Orrin G. Hatch R-UT / Herbert Kohl D-WI) Introduced June 3, 2003. The “Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act.” A bill to enhance federal laws against cigarette trafficking and ensure the collection of all cigarette taxes;

Recent Action: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Passed Committee favorably on 7/31/03 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute.

• S. 1709 Monitoring, (Larry Craig D-IA) Introduced October 2, 2003. The “Security and Freedom Ensured Act.” A bill to amend the USA PATRIOT ACT to place reasonable limitations on the use of surveillance and the issuance of search warrants.

Recent Action: