Source: http://oligarchyoflawyers.blogspot.com/2012/01/
Timestamp: 2017-08-19 12:59:19
Document Index: 6419650

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 2149', '§ 5905', '§ 5905', '§ 1601', '§ 2314', '§ 521']

Oligarchy: January 2012
H. Resolution 100: [No Title]
Sponsor: Kucinich (D - OH)
Official Title: A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States regarding the use of public funds to pay for campaigns for election to federal office.
1/18/2012: Introduced in House
1/18/2012: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
Commentary: This joint resolution is a proposal for a constitutional amendment that would ban the use of any funding besides public funds for federal election campaigns. There could be no outside spending by candidates or by any entities favoring or opposing any candidates. The amendment states that the penalty for a violation should be a criminal penalty that Congress should legislate.
Posted by cwarrenrobertson at 4:22 PM No comments:
EPA Threatens North Dakota Oil Boom
The state now has 200 rigs pumping 440,000 barrels of oil daily in the Bakken shale formation, according to the Heartland Institute. The state’s unemployment rate is holding at just 3.5 percent, with many oil industry jobs paying more than $100,000 a year, and “we have 18,000 jobs looking for people,” North Dakota Republican Rep. Rick Berg told The Hill.
“If our country’s GDP grew at 7 percent, as it does in [my] state, most of our problems would be over in two years.”
The North Dakota legislature is using some of the state’s oil revenue to fund $1.2 billion in infrastructure improvements, including roads and schools. Public schools will receive $340 million in oil-related revenues over the next two years, and oil money will pay for a disaster relief fund and a reduction in property taxes.
Also, the legislature has ordered that 30 percent of the funds from the state’s 6.5 percent oil extraction tax be sent to the state’s Legacy Fund, which cannot be touched until 2017, when accrued interest will become available for spending.
One reason for the boom: “The regulatory environment was already low in North Dakota, certainly better than California’s and some other oil-producing states,” said Brett Narloch, executive director of the North Dakota Policy Council.
“As we move forward with oil production, I expect the business environment to get better."
Narloch said: “If the EPA decides to ban fracking, that shuts down the entire industry since so many of the wells operate by that procedure. It would kill this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Posted by cwarrenrobertson at 9:24 PM No comments:
■H.R. 3766: Jeremy Bell Act of 2011
■H.R. 3738: [No Title]
■H.R. 3735: Medicare Fraud Enforcement and Prevention Act of 2011
■H.R. 3704: Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act
■H.R. 3687: Mine Safety Accountability and Improved Protection Act
■H.R. 3674: Promoting and Enhancing Cybersecurity and Information Sharing Effectiveness Act of 2011 (PRECISE Act)
H.R. 3766: Jeremy Bell Act of 2011
Sponsor: Fitzpatrick (R - PA)
Official Title: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide penalties with respect to employers’ conduct relating to persons engaging in sexual conduct with children, and for other purposes.
12/23/2011: Introduced in House
12/23/2011: Referred to House Education and the Workforce Committee
12/23/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
Commentary: This bill creates a new criminal offense for employers. The bill would penalize an employer who transfers an employee to a location out of state if the employer “knows” that the transferring employee engaged in sexual conduct with a minor. There is no clear intent language, now is there an explanation as to the definition of “employer” in this context. A violation would be punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, U.S. Code.
H.R. 3738: [No Title]
Official Title: A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to increase from 1 to 2 years the post employment restrictions on Members of the House of Representatives.
12/20/2011: Introduced in House
12/20/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
Commentary: This bill would subject members of the House of Representatives to the same post-employment restrictions as their colleagues in the Senate. Currently, former House Members face only a one-year prohibition for lobbying to members, officers, or employees of Congress, while former Senators must wait two years. This bill would make members of both Congressional chambers subject to the two-year lobbying restriction. A violation is punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, U.S. Code.
H.R. 3735: Medicare Fraud Enforcement and Prevention Act of 2011
Sponsor: Ros-Lehtinen (R - FL)
Official Title: A bill to provide for enhanced penalties to combat Medicare and Medicaid fraud, a Medicare data-mining system and biometric technology pilot program, and for other purposes.
12/19/2011: Introduced in House
12/19/2011: Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee
12/19/2011: Referred to House Ways and Means Committee
Commentary: This bill would increase the penalties for federal health care fraud. The penalties regarding false statements would be doubled for both maximum prison terms and maximum fines. Additionally, the bill would create an offense for “knowingly, intentionally, and with the intent to defraud” deals in two or more Medicare or Medicaid beneficiary identification numbers or billing privileges. A violation of this would be punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, U.S. Code.
H.R. 3704: Downed Animal and Food Safety Protection Act
Sponsor: Ackerman (D - NY)
Official Title: A bill to amend the Humane Methods of Livestock Slaughter Act of 1958 to ensure the humane slaughter of nonambulatory livestock, and for other purposes.
12/16/2011: Introduced in House
12/16/2011: Referred to House Agriculture Committee
Commentary: This bill would create several criminal offenses regarding the euthanasia, movement, testing, and inspection of nonambulatory livestock. The bill would require that when a stockyard, market agency, dealer, packer or slaughterhouse discovers livestock “that will not stand and walk unassisted,” the animal must be “immediately humanely euthanize[d].” Disease testing may be done so long as the animal is euthanized immediately afterward. Covered entities would also not be permitted to move nonambulatory livestock except for testing, so long as the animal is unconscious when doing so. The bill would also prohibit inspectors from passing nonamulatory livestock or their carcass or parts of carcass through inspection. No criminal intent terms are used for any of the offenses. Furthermore, one provision opens the door for regulatory criminalization by the Secretary of Agriculture. A violation of any provision of this bill would be punishable by up to one year imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.
H.R. 3687: Mine Safety Accountability and Improved Protection Act
Sponsor: Capito (D - WV)
Official Title: A bill to honor the nation's fallen miners by requiring improved mine safety practices and compliance in order to prevent future mine accidents.
12/16/2011: Referred to House Budget Committee
12/16/2011: Referred to House Education and the Workforce Committee
Commentary: This bill would increase fines and create new offenses relating to mining safety. A violation of health and safety regulations, not only the standards in the Act, could be criminally punishable. Some exceptions to the offense would be eliminated, and any authorization or order of “any policy or practice that contributed to the occurrence of a fatality” could be a criminal act resulting in imprisonment as outlined in the statute. Notably, however, the criminal intent terms increased protection by changing “knowingly” to “willfully.” The bill would also establish a new criminal offense for “willfully” retaliating against an individual who has informed authorities of a health of safety concern. A violation would be punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, U.S. Code. Additionally, this bill would also create an offense for those who “willfully” give, attempt to give, or cause the advance notice of an inspection required under this Act. A violation would be punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine under Title 18. The bill would also increase the criminal fine from $500,000 to $1,000,000 for “willful” violations of a health or safety standard, and the “knowing[]” violation, failure, or refusal to comply with an order. The criminal fine for statements would also increase, from $10,000 to $50,000.
H.R. 3674: Promoting and Enhancing Cybersecurity and Information Sharing Effectiveness Act of 2011 (PRECISE Act)
Sponsor: Lungren (R - CA)
Official Title: A bill to amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to make certain improvements in the laws relating to cybersecurity, and for other purposes
12/15/2011: Introduced in House
12/15/2011: Referred to House Homeland Security Committee
12/15/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
12/15/2011: Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
12/15/2011: Referred to House Science, Space and Technology Committee
12/15/2011: Referred to House Select Intelligence Committee
Commentary: This bill, creating a large government infrastructure to face cybersecurity threats, also establishes a new criminal offense. Part of this comprehensive legislation includes the National Information Sharing Organization, which is charged with connecting government, companies, and individuals (members) in order to share information about cybersecurity threats. Some of the information passed will be confidential. It is unlawful for an individual associated with the organization, including government and member employees, to “knowingly publish, divulge, disclose, or make known in any manner or to any extent not authorized by law, any cyber threat information protected from disclosure by this title” any information that they learned by virtue of their connection to the Sharing Organization. A violation of this would be punishable by up to one year imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, U.S. Code, and will also be removed from their position or employment.
Overcriminalization of Fraud and the Impact of MAPLE Act Bill
Virtually Extinct – the Pearl Light Bulb Banned by Europe... and the Price of Its Replacement Soars by Up to 174 Per Cent in a Year
Climate Change Regulations and the New EPA Report
November 18, 2011 by Sam Rolley
The Federal government doesn’t want young children to get involved in farming.
Posted by cwarrenrobertson at 8:57 PM No comments:
New Criminal Law Proposals:
■H.R. 3399: Medicare and Medicaid Fighting Fraud and Abuse to Save Taxpayers' Dollars Act (Medicare and Medicaid FAST Act)
■H.R. 3395: Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2011
■H.R. 3359: Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act
■S. 1847: Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act of 2011
■S. 1816: [No Title]
■S. 1813: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)
■S. Amendment 941
■H.R. 3321: America's Cup Act of 2011
■H.R. 2838: Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2011
■H.R. 1588: Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act
■H.R. 347: Federal Restricted Buildings and Grounds Improvement Act of 2011
■H.R. 3289: Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2011
H.R. 3399: Medicare and Medicaid Fighting Fraud and Abuse to Save Taxpayers' Dollars Act (Medicare and Medicaid FAST Act)
Official Title: A bill to amend titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to curb waste, fraud, and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
11/10/2011: Introduced in House
11/10/2011: Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee
11/10/2011: Referred to House Ways and Means Committee
11/10/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
Commentary: This bill would establish several new requirements and safeguards in order to control costs of several federal health care programs. The criminal offense created in this bill would make it unlawful to conduct a transaction of beneficiary identification numbers or other billing privileges “knowingly, intentionally, and with the intent to defraud.” These mens rea terms, coupled with the nature of the offense, makes this intent requirement strong. A violation is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $500,000 for an individual and $1,000,000 for a corporation.
H.R. 3395: Concrete Masonry Products Research, Education, and Promotion Act of 2011
Sponsor: Shimkus (R - IL)
Official Title: A bill to enable concrete masonry products manufacturers and importers to establish, finance, and carry out a coordinated program of research, education, and promotion to improve, maintain, and develop markets for concrete masonry products.
11/4/2011: Introduced in House
11/4/2011: Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee
11/4/2011: Referred to House Ways and Means Committee
Commentary: This bill aims to improve the concrete masonry market in the United States by supporting financing, research, education, and promotion of the industry through orders by the Secretary of Commerce and the creation of a Concrete Masonry Product Board. Among several other requirements, manufacturers and importers of concrete masonry products must maintain sufficient records to be submitted to the Board and to be readily available, but must also be kept confidential. A “willful[]” violation of the confidentiality provision is punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. This is a moderate intent protection, as the word “willfully” is located separate from the actus reus of the offense.
H.R. 3359: Traveling Exotic Animal Protection Act
Sponsor: Moran (D - VA)
Official Title: A bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act to restrict the use of exotic and non-domesticated animals in traveling circuses and exhibitions.
11/3/2011: Introduced in House
11/3/2011: Referred to House Agriculture Committee
Commentary: If passed, this bill would effectively, through criminal penalties, end the use of many animals, including elephants and tigers, in traveling circuses. Under this new offense, a licensed exhibitor would not be permitted to use any “exotic or wild animal” in an animal act if the animal has traveled in mobile housing 15 days prior to the act. This would not apply to accredited zoos, aquariums, educational programs and institutions, labs, rodeos, and film, television and advertising groups. The penalty provision is located in another current statute, 7 U.S.C. § 2149, which punishes “knowing[]” violations, making this a weak protection. A violation is punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and a $2,500 fine.
S. 1847: Protect Our Disabled Heroes Act of 2011
Sponsor: Rubio (D - FL)
Official Title: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees, and for other purposes.
11/10/2011: Introduced in Senate
11/10/2011: Referred to Senate Veterans Affairs Committee
Commentary: This bill would amend 38 U.S.C. § 5905 to reinstate criminal penalties for persons charging veterans unauthorized fees in connection with benefit proceedings before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Currently, § 5905 subjects a person to criminal sanctions if that individual “wrongfully withholds from any claimant or beneficiary any part of a benefit or claim allowed and due to the claimant or beneficiary.” S. 1847 would maintain this existing criminal provision and add another prohibiting actual or attempted solicitation, contracting for, charging for, or receiving “any fee or compensation in connection [with] … the provision of advice on how to file a claim for benefits under the laws administered by the Secretary [of Veterans Affairs].” The actual or attempted “preparation, presentation, or prosecution of such a claim before the date on which a notice of disagreement is filed” would also be prohibited. It would also be prohibited to commit another offense other this chapter, as well as “aid[], abet[], counsel [], command[], or procure[]” such an act; or causes another prohibited act under this chapter to be done. Violations of these provisions would be punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment, fines under Title 18, U.S. Code, or both. This bill is related to H.R. 1826.
S. 1816: [No Title]
Sponsor: Lautenberg (D - NJ)
Official Title: A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to modify a provision relating to minimum penalties for repeat offenders for driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence.
11/7/2011: Introduced in Senate
11/7/2011: Referred to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Commentary: This bill would alter the penalty on repeat offenders for driving while intoxicated. First, the bill amends the current statute, which requires “a driver’s license suspension for not less than 1 year” for repeat offenders, and clarifies and expands the ban to “all driving privileges for not less than 1 year”. Second, rather than offering an option less than 1 year driver’s license suspension under the “combination” penalty provision, a “suspension of unlimited driving privileges for 1 year” would become the first option, as opposed to only 45 days, as the current statute states.
S. 1813: Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21)
Sponsor: Boxer (D - CA)
Official Title: A bill to reauthorize Federal-aid highway and highway safety construction programs, and for other purposes.
11/9/2011: Mark up in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
11/9/2011: Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably
Commentary: This bill is part of a larger highway bill, but the criminal provision would alter the penalty on repeat offenders for driving while intoxicated. First, the bill amends the current statute, which requires “a driver’s license suspension for not less than 1 year” for repeat offenders, and clarifies and expands the ban to “all driving privileges for not less than 1 year”. Second, rather than offering an option less than 1 year driver’s license suspension under the “combination” penalty provision, a “suspension of unlimited driving privileges for 1 year” would become the first option, as opposed to only 45 days, as the current statute states.
S. Amendment 941
Sponsor: Udall (D - CO)
Commentary: This amendment to H.R. 2354: Fiscal 2012 Energy-Water Appropriations would amend the Tariff Act of 1930 to add in the attempt and conspiracy of any act deemed unlawful in the aviation smuggling section.
H.R. 3321: America's Cup Act of 2011
Sponsor: Herger (R - CA)
Official Title: A bill to facilitate the hosting in the United States of the 34th America's Cup by authorizing certain eligible vessels to participate in activities related to the competition.
11/2/2011: Introduced in House
11/2/2011: Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
11/4/2011: House passage by roll call vote under suspension of the rules
11/7/2011: Received in Senate
11/7/2011: Placed on Senate calendar
Commentary: This bill would authorize marine vessels to take part as competitors or as support ships in the 34th America’s Cup boat race. The bill proposes that an Eligibility Certification must be obtained by any participating vessel. If the certification is not obtained, or if the vessel does not comply with the federal statute on coastwise endorsement, a violation would be punishable by up to one year imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, U.S. Code. This bill is related to H.R. 3270, H.R. 3311 and S. 1759.
Sponsor: LoBiondo (R - NJ)
Official Title: A bill to authorize appropriations for the Coast Guard for fiscal years 2012 through 2015, and for other purposes.
9/2/2011: Introduced House
9/2/2011: Referred to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
9/6/2011: Referred to House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
9/8/2011: Discharged House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
9/8/2011: Mark up in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
9/8/2011: Reported to House by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
10/3/2011: Reported as amended by House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
10/3/2011: Placed on House calendar
11/4/2011: House debate
11/4/2011: Left as unfinished business by House
11/16/2011: House Passage
11/16/2011: Received in Senate
Commentary: This bill would create a new federal criminal offense for knowingly and willfully interfering with the maritime safety transmissions of the U.S. Coast Guard. This provision was part of a larger appropriations bill for the Coast Guard. A violation is considered a class E felony.
H.R. 1588: Consumer Rental Purchase Agreement Act
Sponsor: Canseco (R - TX)
Official Title: A bill to amend the Consumer Credit Protection Act to assure meaningful disclosures of the terms of rental-purchase agreements, including disclosures of all costs to consumers under such agreements, to provide certain substantive rights to consumers under such agreements, and for other purposes.
4/15/2011: Introduced in House
4/15/2011: Referred to House Financial Services Committee
5/2/2011: Referred to House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
7/26/2011: Hearing Held by House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
11/17/2011: Mark up in the House Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit
11/17/2011: Forwarded to full committee by voice vote
Commentary: This bill is substantially similar to S. 738 from the 111th Congress, which was introduced by Senator Landrieu (D-LA). Like S. 738, H.R. 1588 would amend the Consumer Credit Protection Act (CCPA) (15 U.S.C. § 1601 et seq.) to require merchants offering goods under rental-purchase agreements to make detailed disclosures to consumers. The bill also creates a new criminal offense punishing any party that “willfully and knowingly gives false or inaccurate information or fails to provide information which he is required to disclose under the provisions of [the CCPA] or any regulation issued thereunder.” Violations of this provision would be punishable by criminal sanctions of up to one year imprisonment, fines of up to $5,000, or both.
Sponsor: Rooney (R - FL)
Official Title: A bill to correct and simplify the drafting of section 1752 (relating to restricted buildings or grounds) of Title 18, United States Code.
1/19/2011: Introduced in House
1/19/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
1/21/2011: Referred to House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
1/26/2011: Mark up in the House Judiciary Committee
1/26/2011: Ordered to be reported by voice vote House Judiciary Committee
1/26/2011: Discharged House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security
2/11/2011: Reported to House by House Judiciary Committee
2/11/2011: Placed on House calendar
2/28/2011: House passage by roll call vote under suspension of the rules
3/1/2011: Received in Senate
3/1/2011: Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee
11/17/2011: Mark up in the House Judiciary Committee
11/17/2011: Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably Senate
Commentary: This bill would amend existing section 1752 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code to reduce the protectiveness of the criminal-intent (mens rea) requirements in offenses involving conduct in “restricted” government buildings, grounds, or areas. Among other things, section 1752 currently prohibits any person or group of persons from: (1) “willfully” and “knowingly” entering or remaining in unauthorized Government buildings, grounds, or areas; (2) engaging in “disorderly or disruptive conduct” that “impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of Government business” or is intended to do so; (3) obstructing or impeding ingress or egress to or from Government buildings, grounds, or areas; or (4) engaging in “any act of physical violence against any person or property” in Government buildings, grounds, or areas. Violations of current law carry criminal sanctions of up to one year imprisonment, fines under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, or both. Violations that involve the use of a firearm or that result in significant bodily injury may be punished by up to 10 years imprisonment, fines under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, or both. H.R. 347 would restructure the language of Section 1752 defining the criminal offenses and reduce the level of criminal intent the Government must prove to establish a violation from a “willfully and knowingly” standard to a less-protective “knowingly” standard. The bill would not alter the existing criminal penalties.
H.R. 3289: Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2011
Sponsor: Issa (R - CA)
Official Title: A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide clarification relating to disclosures of information protected from prohibited personnel practices; to require a statement in nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements that such policies, forms, and agreements are in conformance with certain protections; to provide certain additional authorities to the Office of Special Counsel; and for other purposes.
11/1/2011: Introduced in House
11/1/2011: Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
11/1/2011: Referred to House Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee
11/1/2011: Referred to House Homeland Security Committee
11/3/2011: Mark up in the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
11/3/2011: Ordered to be reported House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
Commentary: This bill would amend Chapter 23 of Title 5, U.S. Code, to pare back and eliminate many of the restrictions that have been read into the language of the Whistleblower Protection Act (WPA) by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). In addition, H.R. 3289 would expand the scope of the WPA to cover new groups of employee whistleblowers, including employees of the Transportation Safety Administration and various entities within the intelligence community. The bill would also make it easier for the MSPB to issue final orders imposing disciplinary action against individuals who commit a prohibited personnel practice. Currently, the MSPB may punish violators by issuing orders permitting “removal, reduction in grade, debarment from Federal employment for a period not to exceed 5 years, suspension, reprimand, or an assessment of a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.” H.R. 3289 would maintain that same penalty framework, but permit the MSPB to take disciplinary action against individuals who undertake a prohibited personnel practice where activities “protected under [5 U.S.C.] section 2302(b)(8), or 2302(b)(9) (A)(i), (B), (C), or (D) [are] a significant motivating factor, even if other factors also motivated the decision … to take, fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take a personnel action.” This bill is related to S. 743, but there are several differences, although none affect criminal or quasi-criminal liability. S. 743 includes additional provisions regarding MSPB review, a sunset clause, and, in regards to relief, a lower standard for agencies to show they would have taken the personnel action had no disclosure been made (“preponderance of evidence” versus “clear and convincing evidence”).
Posted by cwarrenrobertson at 8:52 PM No comments:
■H.R. 3668: Counterfeit Drug Penalty Enhancement Act of 2011
■H.R. 3646: Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2011
■H.R. 3636: Protect Veterans’ Memorials Act of 2011
■S. 1980: The Pirate Fishing Elimination Act
■S. 1950: Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act of 2011
Sponsor: Meehan (R - PA)
Official Title: A bill to prevent trafficking in counterfeit drugs.
12/14/2011: Introduced in House
12/14/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
Commentary: This bill would apply the current statute regarding counterfeit goods and services and apply it to drugs. The current statute that would be adopted here prohibits the “intentional[]” trafficking or attempts to traffic goods, services, or labels, packaging and related identifiers, and “knowingly” using a counterfeit mark that will “likely to cause confusion, to cause mistake, or to deceive.” A violation by an individual would be punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $4 million and a violation by non-individuals would be punishable by a fine up to $10 million. The bill would also add higher penalties for repeated offenders, with a violation by an individual being punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $8 million, and if not an individual, punishable by a fine up to $20 million. This bill is similar to H.R. 3468, also sponsored by Rep. Meehan, and is also similar to S. 1886, except for 1) the maximum prison term for individuals (20 years in S. 1886 and H.R. 3668 and life imprisonment in H.R. 3468); and 2) H.R. 3468 and H.R. 3668 do not contain the sentencing commission directive that is present in S. 1886.
H.R. 3646: Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2011
Sponsor: Sutton (D - OH)
Official Title: A bill require foreign manufacturers of products imported into the United States to establish registered agents in the United States who are authorized to accept service of process against such manufacturers, and for other purposes.
12/13/2011: Introduced in House
12/13/2011: Referred to House Agriculture Committee
12/13/2011: Referred to House Energy and Commerce Committee
12/13/2011: Referred to House Ways and Means Committee
Commentary: This bill attempts to tie foreign manufacturers to a domestic agent that can be haled into court. The criminal law provision of this bill regards declarations of a person importing a covered product from outside the United States. That person would be required to make an “appropriate inquiry” into the importer’s compliance with this bill by seeking documentation from the exporter and checking the registry established in this bill. Additionally, the importer must also declare that “to the best of the person’s knowledge” the exporter has registered a U.S. agent. An importer must also not file a false declaration. A violation would be punishable “any appropriate penalty under section 592 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1592) or title 18, United States Code, with respect to importation of a covered product.” There is no appropriate intent requirement for these offenses. Furthermore, the penalty that would be assessed is also unclear, as it specifies a large trade act and the entire criminal code title of the U.S. Code.
H.R. 3636: Protect Veterans’ Memorials Act of 2011
Sponsor: Murphy (D - CT)
Official Title: A bill to amend Title 18, United States Code, to extend the stolen goods offense to cover all veterans' memorials, and for other purposes.
12/12/2011: Introduced in House
12/12/2011: Referred to House Judiciary Committee
Commentary: This bill would remove a de minimus requirement in the criminal offense for the transportation of stolen goods, securities, moneys, fraudulent state tax stamps, or article used in counterfeiting. 18 U.S.C. § 2314 currently requires that the stolen goods in question be valued at $5,000 or more. This bill would eliminate that requirement if the goods in question are a “veterans’ memorial” defined as “a grave marker, headstone, monument, or other object, intended to permanently honor a veteran or mark a veteran’s grave, or any monument that signifies an event of national military historical significance.” If one “know[s]” that the goods are been “stolen, converted or taken by fraud” a violation is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, United States Code.
S. 1980: The Pirate Fishing Elimination Act
Sponsor: Inouye (D - HI)
Official Title: A bill to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing through port state measures.
12/12/2011: Introduced in Senate
12/12/2011: Referred to Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
Commentary: This bill aims to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by denying port entry and services to vessels that engage in this activity. This bill contains no intent language as to the prohibited acts in regards to criminal and civil forfeiture. The prohibited acts include violating regulations, resisting arrest or search of vessel, and submitting false information. A violation is punishable by criminal forfeiture of “any property, real or personal, constituting or traceable to the gross proceeds taken, obtained, or retained, in connection with or as a result of the offense” and “any property, real or personal, used or intended to be used, in any manner, to commit or facilitate the commission of the offense” including fish and the vessel itself. For criminal enforcement, the bill only provides a minimal “knowingly” criminal intent term, and a violation is punishable, for an individual, by up to 5 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine; and for an organization, the fine maximum is $1,000,000. A violation of some specific prohibited acts by individuals, who “in the exercise of due care should know that such person’s conduct violates such subsections” is punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and a fine under Title 18, U.S. Code.
S. 1950: Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Enhancement Act of 2011
Official Title: A bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to improve commercial motor vehicle safety and reduce commercial motor vehicle-related accidents and fatalities, to authorize the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and for other purposes.
12/7/2011: Introduced in Senate
12/7/2011: Referred to Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
12/14/2011: Hearing Held by Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee
12/14/2011: Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably
Commentary: This bill would make a number of significant changes to the criminal provisions in Title 49. Several criminal fines are increased. The bill would create a national clearinghouse for controlled substances and alcohol test results for operators of commercial vehicles, as established by the Secretary of Transportation. A violation of any of the provisions of the clearinghouse section of this bill by any employer, employee, medical review officer, or service agent would be punishable under 49 U.S.C. § 521(b)(6)(B). This penalty provision provides that “[a]ny person who knowingly and willfully violates” the law is subject for up to 90 days imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. The bill would also permit the Secretary of Transportation to establish criminal penalties for a violation of privacy under this bill. This bill would also add potential criminal liability to the “evasion of regulations” that was formerly only subject to civil penalty. The intent terms of “knowingly and willfully” are removed from the statute, so that there is no intent requirement for either the civil or criminal penalty.
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