Emergency and Disaster Assistance Fraud Penalty Enhancement Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-863
Sponsor: Sen. Sessions, Jeff [R-AL]
Introduced: 2007-03-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Commerce
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Deceptive advertising
Disaster relief
Emergency Management
Fines (Penalties)
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government procurement
Larceny
Mail-order business
Science, Technology, Communications
Sentencing guidelines
Subcontractors
Telemarketing

Summary:
action_date: 2007-03-13
text: 
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 Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; 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.

action_date: 2007-05-22
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

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 Act, or in connection with the procurement of property or services by a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier during a major disaster or emergency declaration.

Imposes a maximum fine of $1 million and/or prison term of 30 years for engaging in wire, radio, television, or mail fraud during a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. 

Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to: (1) promulgate sentencing guidelines or amend existing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration; and (2) submit to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees an explanation of its guidelines and additional recommendations for combating such fraud or theft offenses. 

action_date: 2007-12-04
text: 

(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 Act, or in connection with the procurement of property or services by a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier during a major disaster or emergency declaration.

Imposes a maximum fine of $1 million and/or prison term of 30 years for engaging in wire, radio, television, or mail fraud during a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. 

Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to: (1) promulgate sentencing guidelines or amend existing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration; and (2) submit to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees an explanation of its guidelines and additional recommendations for combating such fraud or theft offenses. 

action_date: 2007-12-19
text: 

(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 Act, or in connection with the procurement of property or services by a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier during a major disaster or emergency declaration.

Imposes a maximum fine of $1 million and/or prison term of 30 years for engaging in wire, radio, television, or mail fraud during a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. 

Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to: (1) promulgate sentencing guidelines or amend existing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration; and (2) submit to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees an explanation of its guidelines and additional recommendations for combating such fraud or theft offenses. 

action_date: 2008-01-07
text: 

(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 Act, or in connection with the procurement of property or services by a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier during a major disaster or emergency declaration.

Imposes a maximum fine of $1 million and/or prison term of 30 years for engaging in wire, radio, television, or mail fraud during a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency. 

Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to: (1) promulgate sentencing guidelines or amend existing guidelines to provide for increased penalties for persons convicted of fraud or theft offenses in connection with a major disaster or emergency declaration; and (2) submit to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees an explanation of its guidelines and additional recommendations for combating such fraud or theft offenses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-01-07
text: Became Public Law No: 110-179.
action_date: 2008-01-07
text: Became Public Law No: 110-179.
action_date: 2008-01-07
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2008-01-07
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2007-12-27
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2007-12-27
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR S16864-16865)
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR S16864-16865)
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 863.
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H16864-16866)
action_date: 2007-12-19
text: Mr. Conyers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2007-12-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-12-05
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2007-12-05
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2007-12-04
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S14747-14748; text: CR S14747-14748)
action_date: 2007-12-04
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S14747-14748; text: CR S14747-14748)
action_date: 2007-05-22
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 167.
action_date: 2007-05-22
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy without amendment. With written report No. 110-69. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2007-05-22
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy without amendment. With written report No. 110-69. Additional views filed.
action_date: 2007-03-15
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-03-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2007-03-13
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3072-3073)
action_date: 2007-03-13
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 110-179