zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Safer Officers and Safer Citizens Act of 2015

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance to award matching grants to states, local governments, and Indian tribes to purchase body-worn cameras.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance must give preference to grant applications from jurisdictions that: (1) have comprehensive policies and procedures related to implementation of a body-worn camera program, (2) have high percentages of officers without access to body-worn cameras, (3) have violent crime rates above the national average, and (4) agree to submit metrics on the use of body-worn cameras.

To offset the cost, it requires the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations to limit administrative leave for federal employees to 20 days per year, unless approved individually by the agency head. The Office of Management and Budget must ensure each agency adjusts the number of authorized full-time equivalent employees to reflect lower personnel requirements due to increased available work hours per employee.

Date: 2015-07-29
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Gun Violence Intervention Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit an individual who has been issued a gun violence prevention order from owning, purchasing, possessing, or receiving any firearms. In addition, no person may sell ammunition to any individual subject to a prevention order.

The bill is designed to allow family members and associates to petition a court to issue a gun violence prevention order to any individual who may pose a danger to themselves or others. States are allowed to temporarily seize firearms from individuals who have been issued a prevention order. Individuals who have their firearms seized are given an opportunity to petition the court for an order allowing them to regain possession of their firearms.

The Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services is authorized to issue grant funds to assist states in implementing this bill.

Date: 2015-08-05
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Protect Our Military Families' 2nd Amendment Rights Act

Amends the federal criminal code to authorize a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer of firearms to ship to the spouse of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States or to clubs composed of such members and spouses, and authorizes such a spouse or club to receive, a firearm or ammunition generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes and intended for the personal use of such spouse or club.

Describes a member of the Armed Forces on active duty or a spouse of such member, for purposes of federal firearms provisions, as a resident of the state in which: (1) the member or spouse maintains legal residence, (2) the permanent duty station of the member is located, or (3) the member maintains a place of abode from which the member commutes each day to the member's permanent duty station.

Date: 2015-08-05
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Responsible Transfer of Firearms Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to sell or transfer a firearm to prohibited person, unless the transferor takes reasonable steps to determine that the recipient is not prohibited from firearm possession. (Current law makes it a crime to sell or transfer a firearm to a prohibited person if the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe the recipient is prohibited from firearm possession.)

Date: 2015-09-09
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Walter Scott Notification Act of 2015

This bill requires a state that receives funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program to report certain data on deadly shootings by law enforcement officers. It reduces by 10% the JAG allocation of a state that fails to comply.

Additionally, the bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to modify requirements under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program. During the four-year period following enactment, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may give preference to a COPS program grant applicant from a state that reports data on deadly shootings by law enforcement. Beginning in the fifth year, DOJ must reduce by 20% the COPS allocation of a state that fails to report such data.

DOJ, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, must issue guidance to standardize data collection on deadly shootings by law enforcement. DOJ must also audit and review data reports, determine compliance with requirements, and publish such data.

Date: 2015-09-30
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
NICS Reporting Improvement Act

This bill amends the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 to revise the requirement for states to provide to the Department of Justice (DOJ), as an eligibility condition to receive a grant under the NICS Act Record Improvement Program (NARIP) and a waiver of the grant match requirement under the National Criminal History Improvement Program, estimates of firearms-related disqualifying records.

 It directs DOJ to establish a four-year state implementation plan, including benchmarks, to maximize the automation and submission of mental health and criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). DOJ must reduce a state's allocation of funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for failing to comply with benchmarks.

The bill reauthorizes through FY2020 the NARIP grant program and revises it, among other things, to: add state court systems to the list of eligible grant recipients; require a grant applicant to certify, as an eligibility condition, that no state law or court order prohibits the submission of mental health records to NICS; and create a preference for grant applicants that meet the benchmarks included in the state implementation plan.

The bill repeals the grant program for state and tribal court systems to improve the automation and submission of mental health and criminal history records.

Date: 2015-10-21
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Lawful Purpose and Self Defense Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the definition of "armor piercing ammunition" for purposes of federal firearms provisions to: (1) include a projectile that is designed and intended by the manufacturer or importer for use in a handgun (currently, a projectile that may be used in a handgun); (2) repeal the exclusion of a projectile that the Department of Justice (DOJ) finds is primarily intended for sporting purposes; and (3) exclude a projectile that is primarily intended by the manufacturer or importer to be used in a rifle or shotgun and a handgun projectile that is designed and intended by the manufacturer or importer to be used for hunting, recreational, or competitive shooting.

It repeals a prohibition on assembling from imported parts a semiautomatic rifle or shotgun that is identical to one prohibited from importation as not being suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.

It repeals the condition that in order for a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to be permitted to ship to a member of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty outside the United States or to clubs whose entire membership is composed of such members, and for such members or clubs to be permitted to receive, a firearm or ammunition intended for the lawful personal use of such members or club, the firearm or ammunition must be determined by DOJ to be generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes.

The bill includes among the categories of firearms or ammunition that may be authorized for importation into the United States by DOJ, within 30 days after receiving an application therefor: (1) ammunition that is not armor piercing ammunition; (2) a firearm or ammunition that is being brought in for the use of a federal, state, or local government agency; and (3) a firearm or ammunition that is being imported for the purpose of exportation.

It amends the National Firearms Act to modify the definition of "destructive device" to exclude: (1) a shotgun or shotgun shell which the Department of the Treasury finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for lawful (currently, sporting) purposes; and (2) an antique or a rifle which the owner intends to use for (currently, solely for) sporting purposes.

It authorizes the temporary interstate transfer of a firearm for lawful (currently, sporting) purposes.

Date: 2015-10-27
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Background Check Completion Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit a licensed gun dealer from transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person prior to completion of a background check. (Current law permits a licensed gun dealer to transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person if a submitted background check remains incomplete after three business days.)

Date: 2015-10-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Hearing Protection Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate the $200 transfer tax on firearm silencers, and (2) treat any person who acquires or possesses a firearm silencer as meeting any registration or licensing requirements of the National Firearms Act with respect to such silencer. Any person who pays a tax on a silencer after October 22, 2015 may receive a refund of such tax.

The bill amends the federal criminal code to preempt state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers.

Date: 2015-11-04
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Taxation
Strict Alien Firearm Enforcement Check Act or the SAFE Check Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the background check requirements for certain nonimmigrant aliens to purchase firearms in the United States.

Current law permits a licensed gun dealer to transfer a firearm to an unlicensed person, including a nonimmigrant alien lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa, if a submitted background check remains incomplete after three business days.

This bill adds a provision to prohibit a licensed gun dealer from completing a firearm transfer to a nonimmigrant alien lawfully admitted without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program prior to completion of a background check.

Additionally, it requires such background check to review records maintained by the International Criminal Police Organization (i.e., Interpol) and the country that issued the alien's passport.

Date: 2015-11-19
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
COPS Improvements Act of 2015

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to codify the establishment of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice (DOJ).

It revises and reauthorizes through FY2020 the Community Oriented and Policing Services program.

The bill expands the purpose areas of the existing program with respect to community policing and crime prevention grants.

Additionally, it establishes three new programs. The bill: (1) directs DOJ to administer a troops-to-cops program to encourage the use of grants to hire and train former members of the Armed Forces as career law enforcement officers, (2) authorizes DOJ to award grants to pay for additional community prosecuting programs, and (3) authorizes DOJ to award grants to develop and use new crime-prevention technologies.

Date: 2015-12-15
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Separation of Powers Restoration and Second Amendment Protection Act

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that any executive order, memoranda, proclamation, or signing statement issued by the President that infringes on the powers and duties of Congress under article I, section 8 of the Constitution or the Second Amendment, or that would require the expenditure of federal funds not specifically appropriated for such executive action, is advisory only and has no force or effect unless enacted as law.

The bill nullifies any such executive action and prohibits the use of appropriated funds to promulgate or enforce any such action.

The following persons may bring a civil action in an appropriate U.S. district court to challenge the validity of any such executive action: (1) any Member or either or both chambers of Congress, (2) the highest governmental official of any state or political subdivision if the challenged action infringes on a power of such state under any congressional enactment or relevant treaty, and (3) any person aggrieved of the challenged executive action with respect to a liberty or property interest adversely affected directly by the executive action.

Date: 2015-12-18
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Alternative Ammunition Manufacturing Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to deem an application received on or after August 1, 2011, to exempt a projectile from classification as armor piercing ammunition to be approved if the Department of Justice (DOJ) does not disapprove it within 60 days after the later of the date the application is received or the date of this bill's enactment.

DOJ shall provide an applicant with detailed findings of fact and the reasons for disapproving an application.

Date: 2016-01-19
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
This bill amends the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act to repeal provisions that prohibit state or federal civil actions or administrative proceedings from being brought against firearm or ammunition manufacturers, sellers, importers, dealers, or trade associations for criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm by the person bringing the action or a third party.

Date: 2016-01-27
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Law
Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit and punish the straw purchasing of firearms. A straw purchase occurs when: (1) a person buys a firearm from an unlicensed seller on behalf of a person prohibited by law from possessing one, or (2) a person buys a firearm from a licensed dealer on behalf of another person.

Any person that commits, attempts, or conspires to commit a straw purchasing offense is subject to a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years (25 years if the firearm is used to commit a crime of violence).

The bill expands the penalty for committing a firearms trafficking offense. Individuals who commit such an offense are subject to a fine and/or prison term of up to 15 years. Under current law, the penalty is a fine and/or prison term of up to 10 years.

The U.S. Sentencing Commission shall amend the sentencing guidelines and policy statements to reflect increased penalties for persons convicted of straw purchasing firearms or firearms trafficking offenses.

Under current law, it is unlawful to import firearms into the United States with the intent to engage in illegal activity. This bill extends the prohibition to the exportation of firearms.

The bill makes it unlawful for any person to sell or otherwise dispose of any firearm or ammunition to any person knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that such person intends to transfer the firearm or ammunition in furtherance of a federal crime of terrorism, a crime of violence, or a drug trafficking offense.

Neither the Department of Justice (DOJ) nor its law enforcement coordinate agencies shall facilitate the transfer of an operable firearm to an individual if any DOJ law enforcement officer involved knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the recipient is an agent of a drug cartel, unless U.S. law enforcement personnel continuously monitor or control the firearm at all times.

Date: 2016-02-11
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Lifesaving Gear for Police Act

This bill invalidates any regulation, rule, guidance, recommendation, or policy issued after May 15, 2015, that limits the sale or donation of excess federal property to state and local law enforcement agencies unless enacted by Congress.

Additionally, it prohibits the use of federal funds to implement such regulation, rule, guidance, recommendation, or policy.

Property that was recalled or seized on or after May 15, 2015, must be returned, replaced, or reissued to the state or local law enforcement agency.

Date: 2016-03-16
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Protect America from Homemade Explosives Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise federal explosives laws.

It includes, within the meaning of "explosives," black powder substitutes and smokeless powder.

Additionally, the bill revises certain exceptions to federal explosives laws to specify that: (1) activities related to small arms ammunition do not include activities involving smokeless powder in excess of 50 pounds; and (2) the 50-pound maximum quantity, with respect to a lawful purchase of commercially manufactured black powder, includes aggregate quantities of black powder and black powder substitutes.

Finally, it amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose penalties on an individual who attempts to make an illegal firearm.

Date: 2016-03-17
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate passed version is repeated here.)

Fallen Heroes Flag Act of 2016

(Sec. 3) This bill allows the Representative or Senator of an immediate family member of a deceased firefighter, law enforcement officer, member of a rescue squad or ambulance crew, or public safety officer who died in the line of duty to give the family, on request, a Capitol-flown flag, together with a certificate, signed by the official providing the flag (the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Representative, or the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Senator), that contains an expression of sympathy for the family.

Date: 2016-04-06
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Congress
Firefighter Cancer Registry Act

This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop and maintain a voluntary patient registry to monitor, collect, and make available epidemiological information related to cancer incidence and trends among firefighters. The CDC should seek to include specified information in the registry, including the number and types of fire incidents attended by an individual.

To collect information for the registry, the CDC may incorporate questions into existing public health surveys, questionnaires, and other databases.

The CDC must: (1) encourage the inclusion in the registry of data on minority, female, and volunteer firefighters; and (2) seek feedback on the registry from nonfederal experts.

The CDC must develop an approval process for making registry data available for research without a fee if findings or publications derived from the research are made public or available to stakeholders.

Date: 2016-04-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Health
Protecting Gun Rights and Due Process Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code and other laws to raise the threshold that must be met with respect to disqualifying an individual, for reasons relating to mental health, from possessing or receiving a firearm. Specifically, such an individual must have been either adjudicated mentally incompetent or committed to a psychiatric hospital.

In addition, the bill excludes, for purposes of a determination of whether an individual is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm: (1) certain state health reports, and (2) specified determinations made by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Social Security Administration.

Date: 2016-04-14
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

Protecting Our Lives by Initiating COPS Expansion Act of 2016 or the POLICE Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to expand the allowable use of grant funds under the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program to include participation in active shooter training programs.

Date: 2016-04-21
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Fix Gun Checks Act of 2016

This bill amends the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 to revise an eligibility condition for a state to receive a grant under the NICS Act Record Improvement Program and a waiver of the grant match requirement under the National Criminal History Improvement Program.

Specifically, it directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a four-year state implementation plan, including benchmarks, to maximize the automation and submission of mental health and criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Back Check System (NICS). DOJ must reduce the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program funding for a state that fails to comply with benchmarks.

The bill amends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act to require each federal agency and department, including a federal court, to certify whether it has provided to the Federal Bureau of Investigation disqualifying records of persons prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm.

It amends the federal criminal code and the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007 to define the terms "adjudicated as a mental defective" and "committed to a mental institution."

The bill extends the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act background check requirements to a transfer of a firearm between private parties by prohibiting such a transfer unless a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer has first taken possession of the firearm for the purpose of submitting a background check.

A gun owner must report a lost or stolen firearm to DOJ and local law enforcement authorities within 48 hours of discovery.

Date: 2016-05-16
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Public Safety Officers' Benefits Improvement Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to revise requirements for the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program. (The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who are killed or injured in the line of duty.)

It authorizes the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to establish PSOB program rules, regulations, and procedures based on standards developed by another federal agency.

In determining a claimant's eligibility for death or disability benefits, the BJA must give substantial weight to evidence and facts presented by a state, local, or federal agency.

The BJA must also publish and update information on pending claims and report to Congress on submitted claims for death, disability, and educational benefits.

(Sec. 3) This section extends the age limitation for a PSOB claim for death, disability, or education benefits that is approved more than one year after the date on which it was filed.

(Sec. 4) The BJA must attempt to obtain necessary documentation to determine a claimant's eligibility for death, disability, or education benefits. If it cannot determine eligibility due to a lack of documentation from a third party (e.g., a public agency), then the BJA may abandon the claim only after it utilizes investigative tools, including subpoenas, to obtain the information.

(Sec. 5) The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that a public safety officer acted properly at the time of injury or death and that no specified limitation (e.g., voluntary intoxication at the time of injury or death) bars the payment of death or disability benefits. The BJA may rebut the presumption by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.

(Sec. 6) This bill's provisions apply to a claim that is pending on or submitted on or after enactment.

Date: 2016-05-18
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act

 This bill expands the definition of "law enforcement officer" under provisions of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) to include: (1) federal employees not otherwise covered whose duties include the investigation or apprehension of suspected or convicted criminals and who are authorized to carry a firearm; (2) Internal Revenue Service employees whose duties are primarily the collection of delinquent taxes and the securing of delinquent returns; (3) U.S. Postal Inspection Service employees; (4) Department of Veterans Affairs police officers; and (5) certain U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who are seized-property specialists with duties relating to custody, management, and disposition of seized and forfeited property.

Service performed by an incumbent (an individual appointed before enactment of this bill to a position that is considered to be a law enforcement officer under FERS and the CSRS only by virtue of the expanded definition in this bill) on or after enactment of this bill shall be treated as service performed as a law enforcement officer. Service performed by an incumbent before enactment of this bill shall be treated for federal retirement purposes as service performed as such an officer only if a written election is submitted to the Office of Personnel Management within five years after enactment of this bill or before separation from service, whichever is earlier. An incumbent who makes an election before enactment of this bill may pay a deposit into the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund to cover prior service.

Nothing under current law respecting mandatory separation from government service under CSRS or FERS shall cause the mandatory separation of an officer during the three-year period beginning on the enactment of this bill.

Date: 2016-05-18
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill applies provisions governing availability pay for criminal investigators to any employee of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations who is a law enforcement officer.

Date: 2016-05-23
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 7, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

National Urban Search and Rescue Response System Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to direct the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to: (1) continue to administer the National Urban Search and Rescue Response System; (2) provide for a national network of standardized search and rescue resources to assist states and local governments in responding to hazards; (3) designate urban search and rescue teams to participate in the system, determine participation criteria, and enter into an agreement with the state or local government agency sponsoring each team with respect to such participation; and (4) maintain management and technical teams necessary to administer the system.

FEMA may appoint a system member for a period of federal service to provide for the participation of such member in exercises, pre-incident staging, major disaster and emergency response activities, and training events sponsored or sanctioned by FEMA.

FEMA shall enter into: (1) an annual preparedness cooperative agreement under which amounts shall be made available to a sponsoring agency for training and exercises, acquisition and maintenance of equipment, and medical monitoring required for responder safety and health; and (2) a response cooperative agreement under which FEMA shall reimburse a sponsoring agency for costs incurred in responding to a major disaster or emergency.

FEMA shall submit a report on the development of a plan to finance, maintain, and replace system equipment.

Date: 2016-05-23
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Emergency management
Help End Assault Rifle Tragedies Act of 2016 or the HEART Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly transfer, loan, or dispose of a machinegun or semiautomatic assault weapon to an individual who is known or reasonably believed to be less than 16 years of age.

It defines the term "semiautomatic assault weapon."

A violator is subject to a fine, up to 10 years in prison, or both.

Date: 2016-07-12
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Back the Blue Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code by establishing mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years in prison for offenders who kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, current or former U.S. judges and federal law enforcement officers. Offenders are subject to 30 years in prison or the death penalty if death results.

Additionally, the bill makes it illegal to kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, current or former public safety officers or judicial officers who work for state or local governments that are federally funded if the officers were engaged in official duties or targeted on account of their duties. The penalties for crimes against federal officials are also applied for crimes against federally funded public safety officers.

The bill: (1) makes it a crime to assault an individual involved in crime and juvenile delinquency control or reduction, or enforcement of the laws of states; and (2) increases penalties based on the degree of bodily injury caused by the assault and the type of weapon used.

A new federal crime is established for fleeing authorities to avoid prosecution, custody, or confinement after conviction for a killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill, a federal judge or law enforcement officer, or a federally funded public safety officer.

The bill expands the authority of federal and state law enforcement officers to carry firearms in federal facilities.

The Department of Justice must award grants to state, local, or tribal enforcement agencies for improving their relationships with the communities they serve.

Date: 2016-07-13
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Social Security Fairness for Firefighters and Police Officers Act

This bill amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act to exempt firefighters and law enforcement officers with at least five years of service from the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination provisions.

Date: 2016-09-08
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Social welfare
Support Experienced Law Enforcement Countering Terrorism Act of 2016 or the SELECT Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to require a federal agency, upon request, to issue a photo identification that allows a current or retired law enforcement officer employee to carry a concealed firearm across state lines.

It expresses the sense of Congress that state and local agencies should issue photo identification to allow qualified law enforcement officers and qualified retired law enforcement officers to carry concealed firearms in accordance with this bill.

Date: 2016-09-28
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Wildland Firefighter Retirement and Disability Compensation Benefits Act of 2016

This bill allows wildland firefighters of the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior who sustained injuries in the performance of their duty that prevent them from performing the physical duties of a firefighter, but who commence an equivalent federal position after receiving compensation for their work injuries, to retain the same retirement benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) that they would have received in their former position had they not been injured or disabled, without requiring them to complete any more years of service than they would have otherwise been required to complete.

Such a federal firefighter injured during the 20-year period before enactment of this bill may not receive such retirement benefits without a requirement to complete more years of service unless they first pay the Forest Service or Interior an amount equal to the amount that would have been deducted from their pay under CSRS or FERS had they not been injured or disabled.

The monetary compensation for disability or death of Forest Service and Interior wildland firefighters that is computed based on monthly pay must include overtime pay received for wildfire suppression activity.

Date: 2016-12-09
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Protect Our Heroes Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime: (1) to kill, or attempt or conspire to kill, a federal judge, a federal law enforcement officer, or a federally funded public safety officer who is on duty; or (2) to kill a former federal judge, federal law enforcement officer, or federally funded public safety officer on account of their past performance of duties. An offender is subject to criminal penalties—a fine and a mandatory minimum prison term.

This bill also makes it a crime: (1) to assault, or attempt to assault, a federally funded public safety officer who is on duty; or (2) to assault a former federally funded public safety officer on account of their past performance of official duties or because of their perceived status as a federally funded public safety officer. An offender is subject to criminal penalties—a fine and a mandatory minimum prison term.

Date: 2016-12-09
Topic: Law and Crime (Other)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007 - Declares that any Pigford claimant (relating to a racial discrimination action against the Department of Agriculture) who has not previously obtained a determination on the merits of a Pigford claim may, in a civil action, obtain that determination. Asserts that it is Congress' intent that this Act be liberally construed so as to effectuate its remedial purpose of giving a full determination on the merits for each denied Pigford claim. Defines: (1) "Pigford claimant" as an individual who previously submitted a late-filing request under the consent decree in the case of Pigford v. Glickman (1999); and (2) "Pigford claim" as a discrimination complaint as defined and documented by such consent decree.

Date: 2007-02-07
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Agriculture and food
English Language Unity Act of 2007 - Amends federal to declare English to be the official language of the United States. Requires: (1) official functions of the United States (meaning in this case the states and the District of Columbia) to be conducted in English; and (2) a uniform English language rule for U.S. naturalization, and all naturalization ceremonies to be conducted in English. Sets forth exceptions to and rules of construction for such requirements. Declares that English language requirements and workplace policies, whether in the public or private sector, shall be presumptively consistent with the laws of the United States. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue for public notice and comment a proposed rule for uniform testing of English language ability of candidates for naturalization, based upon the principles that: (1) all citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the laws of the United States; and (2) any exceptions to this standard should be limited to extraordinary circumstances, such as asylum.

Date: 2007-02-12
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Civil Rights Tax Relief Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow an exclusion from gross income for amounts received (either backpay or frontpay or punitive damages) on account of an unlawful discrimination claim; and (2) allow income averaging for backpay and frontpay amounts received from such claims.

Date: 2007-03-15
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Taxation
Ending Tax Breaks for Discrimination Act of 2007 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to deny all tax deductions for business expenses (including advertising expenses) associated with the use of a private club that discriminates on the basis of sex, race, or color.

Date: 2007-03-29
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Taxation
Fair Pay Act of 2007 - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to prohibit discrimination in the payment of wages on account of sex, race, or national origin. (Allows payment of different wages under seniority systems, merit systems, systems that measure earnings by quantity or quality of production, or differentials based on bona fide factors that the employer demonstrates are job-related or further legitimate business interests.) Prohibits the discharge of, or any other discrimination against, an individual for opposing any act or practice made unlawful by this Act or for assisting in an investigation or proceeding under it. Directs courts, in any action brought under this Act for violation of such prohibition, to allow expert fees as part of the costs awarded to prevailing plaintiffs. Allows any such action to be maintained as a class action. Directs the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to: (1) undertake studies and provide information and technical assistance to employers, labor organizations, and the general public concerning effective means available to implement this Act; and (2) carry on a continuing program of research, education, and technical assistance with specified components related to the purposes of this Act. Makes conforming amendments, relating to congressional and executive branch employees, to the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and the Presidential and Executive Office Accountability Act.

Date: 2007-04-24
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Labor and employment
Equal Opportunity Protection and Civil Rights Restoration Act of 2007 - Prohibits discrimination or preferences in federal employment and contracting and other federal programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex. Prohibits requiring or encouraging any federal contractor or subcontractor to so discriminate or grant a preference. Prohibits states and private entities that receive federal financial assistance from so discriminating or granting a preference in connection with any contract or subcontract, employment, or admission to any educational institution. Prohibits construing this Act to prohibit or limit: (1) any act designed to benefit historically Black colleges or universities; or (2) any action under a federal law or treaty relating to the Indian tribes. Declares that this Act does not prohibit or limit employment classifications based on sex if sex is a bona fide occupational qualification reasonably necessary to normal operation or the classification is applied regarding an armed forces member. Allows any aggrieved person to obtain, in a civil action, appropriate relief (including back pay) from the violator, including from a government entity. Requires awarding a prevailing plaintiff attorney's fees as part of the costs.

Date: 2007-05-01
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
2007 Civil Rights Pay Fairness Act - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to increase the length of time an aggrieved person has to file a charge of an alleged unlawful employment practice. Declares that, for enforcement of unlawful employment practices provisions, an unlawful employment practice occurs with respect to compensation when an aggrieved person is injured as a result of a compensation calculation attributable in whole or in part to the application or continuation of a compensation decision that was made at any time before a charge relating to such calculation is filed and was made for an intentionally discriminatory purpose.

Date: 2007-06-11
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Labor and employment
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007 - Amends the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to declare that an unlawful employment practice occurs when: (1) a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted; (2) an individual becomes subject to the decision or practice; or (3) an individual is affected by application of the decision or practice, including each time compensation is paid. Accrues liability, and an aggrieved person may obtain relief including recovery of back pay for up to two years preceding the filing of the charge, where the unlawful employment practices that have occurred during the charge filing period are similar or related to practices that occurred outside the time for filing a charge. Applies the amendments of this paragraph to claims of compensation discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 to declare that an unlawful practice occurs when a discriminatory compensation decision or other practice is adopted, when a person becomes subject to the decision or other practice, or when a person is affected by the decision or practice, including each time compensation is paid.

Date: 2007-06-22
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Housing Fairness Act of 2007 - Instructs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct, and report to Congress on, a nationwide testing program to: (1) detect and document differences in the treatment of persons seeking to rent or purchase housing or obtain or refinance a home mortgage loan; (2) measure patterns of adverse treatment because of the race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability status, or national origin of a renter, home buyer, or borrower; and (3) measure the prevalence of such discriminatory practices across housing and mortgage lending markets. Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to reauthorize the fair housing initiatives program. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary should: (1) fully comply with such Act's requirements to establish, design, and maintain a national education and outreach program for the development and dissemination of the fair housing rights of individuals who seek to rent, purchase, sell, or facilitate the sale of a home; (2) use all amounts appropriated for such program; and (3) promulgate regulations on the fair housing obligations of each recipient of federal housing funds to affirmatively further fair housing. Directs the Secretary to implement a competitive matching grant program to assist private nonprofit organizations in: (1) conducting comprehensive studies of specified aspects of the causes and effects of housing discrimination and segregation; and (2) implementing pilot projects that test solutions to help prevent or alleviate housing discrimination and segregation.

Date: 2007-06-28
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Housing and community development
Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2007 - Prohibits a state or political subdivision from exercising its power of eminent domain, or allowing the exercise of such power by delegation, over property to be used for economic development or over property that is used for economic development within seven years after that exercise, if the state or political subdivision receives federal economic development funds during any fiscal year in which the property is so used or intended to be used. Prohibits the federal government from exercising its power of eminent domain for economic development. Establishes a private cause of action for any private property owner or tenant who suffers injury as a result of a violation of this Act. Prohibits state immunity in federal or state court. Sets the statute of limitations at seven years. Requires the Attorney General to bring an action to enforce this Act in certain circumstances, but prohibits an action brought later than seven years following the conclusion of any condemnation proceedings. Requires the Attorney General to disseminate information on: (1) the rights of property owners and tenants under this Act; and (2) the federal laws under which federal economic development funds are distributed. Prohibits a state or political subdivision from exercising its power of eminent domain over property of a religious or other nonprofit organization because of the organization's nonprofit or tax-exempt status or any related quality if that state or political subdivision receives federal economic development funds during any fiscal year. Prohibits the federal government from exercising its power of eminent domain over property of a religious or other nonprofit organization because of the organization's nonprofit or tax-exempt status or any related quality.

Date: 2007-07-16
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007 - Declares that any Pigford claimant (relating to a racial discrimination action against the Department of Agriculture) who has not previously obtained a determination on the merits of a Pigford claim may, in a civil action, obtain that determination. Asserts that it is Congress's intent that this Act be liberally construed so as to effectuate its remedial purpose of giving a full determination on the merits for each denied Pigford claim. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a claimant with a report on farm credit loans made within the claimant's county or adjacent county during a specified period which shall contain information on all accepted applicants (but without any personally identifiable information), including: (1) the applicant's race; (2) the application and loan decision dates; and (3) the location of the office making the loan decision. Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) expedited claim resolution; and (2) foreclosure limitation. Defines: (1) "Pigford claimant" as an individual who previously submitted a late-filing request under the consent decree in the case of Pigford v. Glickman (1999); and (2) "Pigford claim" as a discrimination complaint as defined and documented by such consent decree.

Date: 2007-07-18
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Agriculture and food
Respecting the Civil Liberties of America's Vulnerable Act - Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to provide for an immigrant rights advocate on the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Board should meet with representatives of various U.S. immigrant communities before each Board report to Congress.

Date: 2007-07-26
Topic: Civil Rights (General)
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues