Top Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 10/06/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
To direct the United States Sentencing Commission to assure appropriate punishment enhancements for those involved in receiving stolen property where that property consists of grave markers of veterans, and for other purposes. 6/12/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment.    (There are 3 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on May 15, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Let Our Veterans Rest in Peace Act of 2008 - Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend its sentencing guidelines and policy statements to provide adequate sentencing enhancements for any offense involving the desecration, theft, or trafficking in a grave marker, headstone, monument, or other object intended to permanently mark a veteran's grave. Requires the Commission to ensure that the sentences, guidelines, and policy statements for these crimes are appropriately [...]

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Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
A bill to amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code, with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-submersible vessels without nationality.

9/25/2008--Introduced.

Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or attempting or conspiring to operate by any means, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to avoid detection. Imposes an additional civil fine of up to $1 million for violations.

Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-191. Additional views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to prohibit deceptive practices in Federal elections. 10/4/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act of 2007 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Revised Statutes and federal criminal law to prohibit any person, whether acting under color of law or otherwise, from knowingly deceiving any other person regarding: (1) the time, place, or manner of conducting any federal election; or (2) the qualifications for or restrictions on voter eligibility for any such election. Makes intent to prevent another person from exercising the right to vote, or from voting for the candidate of such other person's choice, an essential element of the offense. Prescribes a criminal penalty for such deceptive acts.Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and, if appropriate, amend the federal sentencing guidelines and policy statements applicable to persons convicted of any offense under [...]

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Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.

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A bill to increase and enhance law enforcement resources committed to investigation and prosecution of violent gangs, to deter and punish violent gang crime, to protect law-abiding citizens and communities from violent criminals, to revise and enhance criminal penalties for violent crimes, to expand and improve gang prevention programs, and for other purposes. 9/21/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Gang Abatement and Prevention Act of 2007 - Title I: New Federal Criminal Laws Needed To Fight Violent National, International, Regional, And Local Gangs That Affect Interstate And Foreign Commerce - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal criminal code to expand prohibitions against criminal street gangs. Defines "criminal street gang" as a formal or informal group, organization, or association of five or more individuals: (1) each of whom has committed at least one gang crime; and (2) who collectively commit three or more [...]

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Latest Action: 05/23/2007 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. With written report No. 110-70. Additional views filed.

Bill Text
A bill to prevent and mitigate identity theft, to ensure privacy, to provide notice of security breaches, and to enhance criminal penalties, law enforcement assistance, and other protections against security breaches, fraudulent access, and misuse of personally identifiable information. 5/23/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Personal Data Privacy and Security Act of 2007 - Title I: Enhancing Punishment For Identity Theft And Other Violations Of Data Privacy and Security - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal criminal code to add intentionally accessing a computer without authorization to the definition of racketeering activity. (Sec. 102) Imposes a fine and/or prison term of up to five years for intentionally and willfully concealing a security breach involving sensitive personally identifiable information that causes economic damage to one or more persons. Defines "sensitive personally identifiable information"[...]

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Latest Action: 01/07/2008 - Signed by President.

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To amend title 18, United States Code, to protect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, victims, and their family members, and for other purposes. 1/7/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries) Court Security Improvement Act of 2007 - Title I: Judicial Security Improvements and Funding - (Sec 101) Amends the federal judicial code to require the Director of the U.S. Marshals Service to consult with the Judicial Conference of the United States (Judicial Conference) on a continuing basis regarding the security requirements for the U.S. judicial branch.(Sec. 102) Authorizes the U.S. Marshals Service to provide for the security of the U.S. Tax Court.(Sec. 103) Authorizes additional amounts in FY2007-FY2011 for: (1) hiring deputy U.S. Marshals to provide security for judicial officers and U.S. attorneys; and (2) the Office of Protective Intelligence to provide secure computer systems.(Sec. 104) Amends the Ethics in Government Act [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to authorize additional appropriations for supervision of Internet access by sex offenders convicted under Federal law, and for other purposes. 11/14/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Keeping the Internet Devoid of Sexual Predators Act of 2007 or the KIDS Act of 2007 - Authorizes additional appropriations for FY2008-FY2013 to: (1) evaluate and purchase Internet filtering and monitoring programs and devices; (2) train probation officers in the use of such programs and devices and in the supervision of sex offenders; and (3) hire probation officers and other personnel as required to supervise convicted sex offenders effectively.Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) include as discretionary conditions for the probation and supervised release of a convicted sex offender restricted access to the Internet and monitoring of computers used by such offender by a probation officer; (2) impose a fine and/or prison term of [...]

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Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to better assure cyber-security, and for other purposes. 2/6/2007--Introduced. Cyber-Security Enhancement and Consumer Data Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) prohibit accessing or remotely controlling a protected computer to obtain identification information; (2) revise the definition of "protected computer" to include computers affecting interstate or foreign commerce or communication; (3) expand the definition of racketeering to include computer fraud; (4) redefine the crime of computer-related extortion to include threats to access without authorization (or to exceed authorized access of) a protected computer; (5) impose criminal penalties for conspiracy to commit computer fraud; (6) impose a fine and/or five year prison term for failure to notify the U.S. Secret Service or Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of a major security breach (involving a significant risk of identity theft) in a [...]

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Latest Action: 03/01/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency funds.

2/6/2007--Introduced.

Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) set forth criminal penalties for fraud in the provision of benefits or the procurement of property or services in connection with a major disaster or emergency declared under the Disaster Relief Act of 1974; and (2) increase criminal penalties for engaging in wire, radio, television, or mail fraud during and in relation to a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency.

Directs the U. S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a declared emergency or major disaster.

Latest Action: 01/07/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, with respect to fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency funds. 1/7/2008--Public Law.    (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 30 years for: (1) knowingly falsifying, concealing, or covering up by any trick, scheme, or device any material fact; or (2) making any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation, or making or using any false writing or document in any matter involving any benefit authorized, transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance [...]

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Latest Legislation - View All

Latest Action: 09/25/2008 - Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction

Bill Text
To amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code, with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-submersible vessels without nationality.

9/25/2008--Introduced.

Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or attempting or conspiring to operate by any means, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to avoid detection. Imposes an additional civil fine of up to $1 million for violations.

Latest Action: 10/03/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
A bill to amend titles 46 and 18, United States Code, with respect to the operation of submersible vessels and semi-submersible vessels without nationality.

9/25/2008--Introduced.

Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or attempting or conspiring to operate by any means, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to avoid detection. Imposes an additional civil fine of up to $1 million for violations.

Latest Action: 07/28/2008 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7576)

Bill Text
A bill to enhance drug trafficking interdiction by creating a Federal felony for operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage.

7/28/2008--Introduced.

Drug Trafficking Interdiction Assistance Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for the intentional operation of, or for embarking in, any submersible or semi-submersible vessel that is without nationality (as defined by federal law) and that is navigating or has navigated into, through, or from waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country with the intent to evade detection.

Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to amend or promulgate sentencing guidelines to provide adequate penalties for such offense.

Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Bill Text
To enhance drug trafficking interdiction by creating a Federal felony relating to operating or embarking in a submersible or semi-submersible vessel without nationality and on an international voyage. 7/29/2008--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Drug Trafficking Vessel Interdiction Act of 2008 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years for knowingly operating or embarking in any submersible or semisubmersible vessel that is without nationality and that is navigating in, or has navigated into, through, or from, waters beyond the outer limit of the territorial sea of a single country or a lateral limit of that country's territorial sea with an adjacent country, with the intent to evade detection. Grants extraterritorial federal jurisdiction over violations of this Act.Makes it an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this Act that a vessel operated at the time of a violation was: [...]

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Latest Action: 04/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To direct the United States Sentencing Commission to make certain changes in the Sentencing Guidelines as they affect certain human trafficking offenses.

3/14/2008--Introduced.

Child Sexual Slavery Prevention Act of 2008 - Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to amend its sentencing guidelines and policy statements to enhance penalties for crimes involving human trafficking and slave trading, smuggling, transporting, or harboring an unlawful alien, and sex trafficking of children.

Latest Action: 01/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To provide for only prospective effect of certain amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines relating to cocaine base sentencing.

12/19/2007--Introduced.

Provides that an amendment to the sentencing guidelines promulgated by the U.S. Sentencing Commission with respect to crack cocaine offenses shall apply only to cases pending on and after the effective date of such amendment (i.e., November 1, 2007).

Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act and title 18, United States Code, to combat the crime of alien smuggling and related activities, and for other purposes. 12/13/2007--Introduced. Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to check against all available terrorist watchlists those alien smugglers and smuggled individuals who are interdicted at U.S. land, air, and sea borders. Revises alien smuggling and related criminal offense and penalty provisions. Provides extraterritorial jurisdiction over such offenses. Limits a defense of necessity for knowingly bringing an illegal alien into the United States from the high seas. Exempts from certain of such violations (transporting or harboring in the United States) a bona fide nonprofit, religious organization in the United States (or its agents or officers) that encourages, invites, or enables an alien who is present in the United States to [...]

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Latest Action: 12/13/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Bill Text
To target cocaine kingpins and address sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine. 12/13/2007--Introduced. Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2007 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the amount of a controlled substance or mixture containing a cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) required for the imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms for crack cocaine trafficking to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.Eliminates the five-year mandatory minimum prison term for first-time possession of crack cocaine. Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its sentencing guidelines for trafficking in a controlled substance to reflect the use of a dangerous weapon or violence in such crime and the culpability and the role of the defendant in such crime, taking into account certain aggravating and mitigating [...]

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Latest Action: 01/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
Opposing the United States Sentencing Commissions decision to reduce crack cocaine sentences.

12/12/2007--Introduced.

Expresses disagreement with the decision of the U.S. Sentencing Commission to reduce crack cocaine sentences and opposition to releasing felons before their sentences expire.

Latest Action: 01/14/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Bill Text
To amend title 18, United States Code, to make technical corrections to the new border tunnels and passages offense.

12/6/2007--Introduced.

Amends the federal criminal code to assign a new section number (555 instead of 554) to the provision prohibiting the construction of border tunnels and passages into the United States.