Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/08/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To reauthorize the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program, and for other purposes. 7/14/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to: (1) require state and local governments to implement a process for the collection of DNA samples from all felons in their prisons for inclusion in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); (2) allow use of grant funds for DNA analyses of samples from missing or unidentified persons; and (3) increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for such Act for FY2010-FY2014. (Sec. 3) Expresses the sense of Congress that as a result of the DNA analysis backlog violent crimes remain unsolved and wrongfully convicted individuals have not been determined to be innocent. Requires the National Academy of Sciences to study and report to the Attorney General [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend the Rules of the House of Representatives to reform the ethics process, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Accountability and Transparency in Ethics Act - Establishes an independent Investigations Commission within the legislative branch. Requires annual ethics training for Members and employees of the House of Representatives and for registered lobbyists. Amends Rule XXV (Limitations on Outside Earned Income and Acceptance of Gifts) of the Rules of the House to require advance authorization by the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct of any privately-funded trip by any Member, officer, or employee of the House. Amends such Rule and Rule XXXV (Gifts) of the Standing Rules of the Senate with respect to: (1) the market value of a flight on an airplane not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate for compensation or hire; (2) a ban on gifts worth less than $50; and (3) disbursements for a national party convention [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To require criminal background checks on all firearms transactions occurring at events that provide a venue for the sale, offer for sale, transfer, or exchange of firearms, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Gun Show Loophole Closing Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to provide for regulation of firearms transfers at special firearms events (events at which 75 or more firearms are offered or exhibited for sale, exchange, or transfer if one or more of the firearms has been shipped or transported in, or otherwise affects, interstate or foreign commerce, excluding an offer or exhibit of firearms: (1) by an individual, from that individual's personal collection, at that individual's private residence, if the individual is not required to be licensed; and (2) at events conducted and attended by permanent or annual dues paying members of private, not-for-profit organizations whose primary purpose is owning and maintaining real property for hunting activities).[...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to improve the tracking of stolen firearms and firearms used in a crime, to allow more frequent inspections of gun dealers to ensure compliance with Federal gun law, to enhance the penalties for gun trafficking, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Anti-Gun Trafficking Penalties Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 to repeal restrictions on disclosure of the content of the Firearms Trace System database. Directs the Attorney General to provide state and local governments or law enforcement agencies with information from such database upon receipt of a written request.Requires federal law enforcement agencies investigating a crime to provide information about firearms stolen or used in such crime to the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco, and Explosives (BAFTE). Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require state and local law enforcement [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/11/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.

Bill Text
To amend title II of the Social Security Act to provide that individuals and appropriate authorities are notified by the Commissioner of Social Security of evidence of misuse of the Social Security account numbers of such individuals.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Identity Theft Notification Act of 2007 - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to require the Commissioner of Social Security to notify individuals and appropriate authorities of evidence of a certain misuse of individual Social Security account numbers.

Requires the Commissioner to determine, in certain instances of wage reports involving multiple addresses for the same employee name, whether there is evidence that the wages were not paid to the individual to whom the Social Security account number was assigned.

Latest Action: 08/03/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
Condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, and for other purposes. 7/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) States that Congress: (1) reiterates its strongest condemnation of the 1994 attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and honors the victims of the attack; (2) expresses its sympathy to the victims' relatives; (3) applauds the government of Argentina for increasing the investigation's pace and for its recently passed anti-terrorism legislation; (4) urges the government of Argentina to continue to provide the judiciary and intelligence resources necessary to fully investigate the AMIA case and bring those responsible to justice; (5) calls upon the General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) to issue and implement specified capture notices (red notices); and (6) calls upon responsible nations to cooperate fully [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/28/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.

Bill Text
To provide for the implementation of the recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. 8/3/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries) Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 - Provides for implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission).Title I: Homeland Security Grants - (Sec. 101) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to establish Homeland Security Grant Programs (consisting of an Urban Area Security Initiative and a State Homeland Security Grant Program). Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to award Program grants through the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Provides that none of the provisions regarding grants to states and high-risk urban areas shall be construed to affect programs authorized under the Federal Fire Prevention [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/09/2007 - Senate incorporated this measure in H.R.1 as an amendment.

Bill Text
A bill to make the United States more secure by implementing unfinished recommendations of the 9/11 Commission to fight the war on terror more effectively, to improve homeland security, and for other purposes. 3/13/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Improving America's Security Act of 2007 - Provides for implementation of recommendations of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (9/11 Commission). Title I: Improving Intelligence and Information Sharing within the Federal Government and with State, Local, and Tribal Governments - Subtitle A: Homeland Security Information Sharing Enhancement - (Sec. 111) Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (HSA) to require the Secretary of Homeland Security (the Secretary) to administer the Homeland Security Advisory System to provide warnings regarding the risk of terrorist attacks on the homeland to federal, state, local, and tribal government authorities [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend Federal crime grant programs relating to domestic violence to encourage States and localities to implement gun confiscation policies, reform stalking laws, create integrated domestic violence courts, and hire additional personnel for entering protection orders, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to: (1) include among the eligibility criteria for certain federal grants state laws authorizing gun confiscation by law enforcement officers in certain domestic violence cases; and (2) authorize grants for state hire of additional personnel for entering information relating to protection orders.Amends the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 to: (1) authorize grants for training programs to establish integrated domestic violence courts; (2) include among the eligibility criteria of the National Stalker and Domestic Violence Reduction grant program state [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 01/04/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S167-168)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize the Attorney General to make grants to improve the ability of State and local governments to prevent the abduction of children by family members, and for other purposes.

1/4/2007--Introduced.

Family Abduction Prevention Act of 2007 - Directs the Attorney General to make grants to states for projects involving: (1) the extradition of individuals suspected of committing a family abduction; (2) investigation by law enforcement agencies of family abduction cases; (3) training for law enforcement agencies in responding to family abductions and recovering abducted children; (4) outreach and media campaigns to educate parents on the dangers of family abductions; and (5) notifying law enforcement authorities of the name and address of anyone requesting the school records of an abducted child. Requires that not less than 50 percent of the cost of a project for which a grant is made be provided by non-federal sources.

Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/18/2008 - The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 110-862, by Mr. Price (NC).

Bill Text
Making appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. 9/18/2008--Introduced. Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2009 - Makes appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009 for: (1) the Offices of the Secretary, the Under Secretary for Management, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, and the Inspector General; (2) Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including for customs and border protection fencing, infrastructure, and technology; (3) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including for detention and removal operations (including to identify and remove aliens who have been convicted of a crime once they are judged deportable) and the Federal Protective Service; (4) the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), including for screening operations and procurement and installation [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/23/2008 - Received in the Senate.

Bill Text
A bill to establish in the Federal Bureau of Investigation the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator to address mortgage fraud in the United States, and for other purposes. 9/22/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator Act of 2008 - Requires the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to assign the Chief of its Financial Crimes Section, Criminal Investigative Division, to be the Nationwide Mortgage Fraud Coordinator, who shall oversee all FBI activities related to investigation of mortgage fraud. Directs the Coordinator to: (1) establish regional task forces, consisting of the voluntary participation of federal, state, and local law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, to organize initiatives to address mortgage fraud; (2) train such agencies; (3) collect and disseminate mortgage fraud data; and (4) perform other related functions. Authorizes the Coordinator to: (1) [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 09/29/2008 - Received in the Senate.

Bill Text
To establish and operate a National Center for Campus Public Safety. 9/27/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.) Center to Advance, Monitor, and Preserve University Security Safety Act of 2008, or the CAMPUS Safety Act of 2008 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to establish and operate a National Center for Campus Public Safety. Tasks the Center with strengthening the safety and security of institutions of higher education (IHEs) by: (1) training IHE public safety agencies and their collaborative partners; (2) fostering safety-related research; (3) collecting, coordinating, and disseminating information and best practices regarding campus safety; (4) developing protocols [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Bill Text
To require certain metal recyclers to keep records of their transactions in order to deter individuals and enterprises engaged in theft and interstate fencing of stolen copper, and for other purposes.

8/1/2008--Introduced.

Copper Theft Prevention Act of 2008 - Requires secondary copper recyclers (purchasers of copper that has served its original economic purpose) to keep records for at least two years of all purchases of copper property. Prohibits such recyclers from accepting cash in excess of $500 for the purchase of copper property. Imposes a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for violations of this Act.

Latest Action: 07/31/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Bill Text
A bill to require all public school employees and those employed in connection with a public school to receive FBI background checks prior to being hired, and for other purposes. 7/31/2008--Introduced. Safety for Our Schoolchildren Act of 2008 - Requires states and local educational agencies (LEAs) to: (1) obtain an FBI background check on individuals prior to offering them employment as school employees; and (2) if the check identifies them as sexual predators, report their application to local law enforcement. Prohibits states or LEAs from hiring individuals as: (1) school employees if they have been convicted of a crime of violence or other felony; or (2) school bus drivers if they have been convicted of, or pled guilty to, drunk driving or a serious moving violation. Withholds funds available to states for planning and administration and to LEAs as subgrants under part A of title II (Preparing, Training, and Recruiting High Quality Teachers and Principals) [...]

show full description
Latest Action: 07/30/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the pilot program for volunteer groups to obtain criminal history background checks.

7/30/2008--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Criminal History Background Checks Pilot Extension Act of 2008 - Amends the PROTECT Act to extend by six months the Child Safety Pilot Program (allowing certain volunteer organizations to obtain national and state criminal history background checks on their volunteers).

Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Bill Text
Condemning the attack on the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in July 1994, and for other purposes. 7/15/2008--Passed House without amendment.    (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Reiterates condemnation of the 1994 attack on the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA) Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, honors the victims of the attack, and expresses sympathy to the victims' relatives. Applauds the government of Argentina for increasing the pace of the AMIA bombing investigation. Commends the General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) for upholding and issuing the Red Notices. Expresses concern regarding the government of Saudi Arabia's failure to detain certain Iranian officials in connection with the AMIA case. Urges: (1) all nations [...]

show full description