Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-192
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-01-31
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal procedure and sentencing

First responders and emergency personnel

Motor vehicles

Roads and highways

Transportation safety and security
Latest action: action_date: 2023-01-31
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-01-31
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2023</b></p> <p>This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for the obstruction of interstate highways. </p> <p>Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful to knowingly engage in a listed activity with the intent to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of the interstate highway. The listed activities are (1) deliberately delaying traffic, (2) standing or approaching a motor vehicle, or (3) endangering the safe movement of a motor vehicle. </p> <p>A violation is subject to criminal penalties.</p> <p>The bill provides an exception for any lawful activity conducted or authorized by the federal government or by a state or local government.</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 192 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES January 31, 2023 Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Cramer ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To criminalize the intentional obstruction of roadways on the Interstate System.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Safe Passage on Interstates Act of 2023 . 2. Obstruction of interstate highways (a) In general Chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 1370. Obstruction of interstate highways (a) Definition In this section, the term interstate highway means a highway on the Interstate System (as defined in section 101(a) of title 23). (b) Offense (1) In general It shall be unlawful to knowingly engage in an activity described in paragraph (2) on an interstate highway with the intent to obstruct the free, convenient, and normal use of the interstate highway. (2) Activities described The activities described in this paragraph are— (A) deliberately delaying traffic on an interstate highway; (B) standing or approaching a motor vehicle on an interstate highway; or (C) endangering the safe movement of a motor vehicle on an interstate highway. (3) Exception Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any lawful activity conducted or authorized by the United States, a State, or a political subdivision of a State. (c) Penalties (1) In general Any person who violates subsection (b) shall be fined not more than $10,000, imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both. (2) Obstruction of emergency vehicle Any person who, in the course of violating subsection (b), knowingly obstructs the passage of an authorized emergency vehicle (as defined in section 1001.4 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation) shall be fined not more than $15,000, imprisoned for not more than 20 years, or both. (3) Violation resulting in death Any person who commits a violation of subsection (b) that results in the death of any other person shall be fined not more than the applicable amount under paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection, imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both. . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of sections for chapter 65 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: 1370. Obstruction of interstate highways. .