112th US Congress Update

Oct 1, 2011

The Southern States Police Benevolent Association is committed to keeping you informed of federal legislation that may affect your work-life, pay and benefits.

The Governmental Affairs department will be providing periodic updates on the actions of Congress while in session. Included is a summary of bills of interest introduced during this past month, as well as updates on those reported in the previous report.

Reporting of these bills are information purposes only, to you as a PBA law enforcement professional, and do not reflect the PBA’s support or opposition on any specific bill.

Check back frequently for updates on these and bills introduced as Congress continues their work.To read text of listed bills click on the Library of Congress link below then enter bill #.

http://thomas.loc.gov/

We encourage your comments.

Jeffrey Fluck
Director of Governmental Affairs

Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
Governmental Affairs

112th US Congress Update
October 2011

NEW BILLS

S 1696 Public Safety Officers' Benefits Improvements Act of 2011
This bill would make improvements to the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program.
Intro: 10/12/2011 Sen. Leahy (VT) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Landrieu (LA)
Republicans: None

BILL UPDATES   (changes in red)

Labor

HR 1789 State/Local Law Enforcement Due Process Bill
This bill would provide due process for officer disciplinary matters.
Intro: 5/5/2011 Rep. Paulsen (MN-3) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: None
 
HR 231 “Drug Law Enforcement Evidentiary Standards Improvement Act of 2011”
This bill would require drug testing of drug enforcement officers
Intro: 1/7/2011 Rep. Jackson-Lee (TX-8) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: None
 
HR 498 Law Enforcement Officer Candidates for Sheriff
This bill would allow current LEO to run for Sheriff and other modifications to Title 5 US Code Section 1502.
Intro: 1/26/2011 Rep. Latta (OH-5) Status: Oversight & Government Reform Cmte.
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Connolly (VA-11)
Republicans: Westmoreland (GA-3), Hurt (VA-5), Wittman (VA-1), Griffith (VA-9)

S 217 Secret Ballot
This bill would require secret ballot for labor representation choice.
Intro: 1/27/2011 Sen. DeMint (SC) Status: Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Sponsor DeMint (SC), Alexander (TN), Burr (NC), Chambliss (GA), Cochran (MS), Graham (SC), Paul (KY), Shelby (AL), Boozman (AR), Isakson (GA)
 
HR 972 Secret Ballot Protection Act (companion to S 217)
This bill would amend the National Labor Relations Act to ensure the right of employees to a secret ballot election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.
Intro: 3/21/2011 Rep. Roe (TN-1)  Status: Health Education Labor & Pensions
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Sponsor Roe, Wilson (SC-2), Foxx (NC-5), DesJarlais (TN-4),
Gowdy (SC-4), Roby (AL-2), Price (GA-6), Mulvaney (SC-5), Duncan (TN-2),
Crawford (AR-1), Scalise (LA-1), Womack (AR-3), Woodall (GA-7), Griffin (AR-2),
Coble (NC-6), Rogers (KY-5), Palazzo (MS-4), Broun (GA-10), Whitfield (KY-1), Bachus (AL-6), Brooks (AL-5), Cassidy (LA-6), Fincher (TN-8), Harper (MS-3)

S 504 National Right-to-Work Act
This act is intended to preserve and protect the free choice of individual employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, or to refrain from such activities.
Intro: 3/8/2011 Sen. DeMint (SC)  Status: Health Education Labor & Pensions
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Sponsor DeMint, Vitter (LA), Graham (SC), Sessions (AL). Wicker (MS), Burr (NC), Chambliss (GA)
 
HR 2040 Union Free Choice
This bill would preserve employees free choice to join union or not.
Intro: 5/26/2011 Rep. King (IA-5) Status: Health Employment Labor & Pensions
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Duncan (SC-3), Foxx (NC-5), Coble (NC-6), Griffin (AR-2),
Harper (MS-3), Fleming (LA-4), Brooks (AL-5), Wilson (SC-2), Gowdy (SC-4), Scott (SC-1), Duncan (TN-2), Gingrey (GA-11), Westmoreland (GA-3), Broun (GA-10), Myrick (NC-9), Price (GA-6), Bachus (AL-6)

S 964 Job Protection Act
This bill amends National Labor Relations Act to apply to Right to Work states.
Intro: 5/12/2011 Sen. Alexander (TN) Status: Health, Ed., Labor & Pensions
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Sponsor, Graham (SC), DeMint (SC), Rand (KY), Shelby (AL), Isakson (GA), Boozman (AR), Vitter (LA), Cochran (MS), McConnell (KY), Burr (NC), Sessions (AL), Chambliss (GA), Wicker (MS), Corker (TN)
 
HR 1976 Job Protection Act (companion to S 964)
This bill amends National Labor Relations Act to apply to Right to Work states.
Intro: 5/24/2011 Rep. Scott (SC-1) Status: Health, Employment, Labor & Pensions
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Sponsor Scott, Wilson (SC-2), Gowdy (SC-4), Duncan (SC3), Mulvaney (SC-5), Hurt (VA-5), Black (TN-6), Griffin (AR-2), Elmers (NC-2), Westmoreland (GA-3), Foxx (NC-5), Goodlatte (VA-6), Jones (NC-3), Scalise (LA-1), Crawford (AR-1), Womack (AR-3)
 
HR 2810 Employee Rights Act
This bill would provide protections for workers with respect to their right to select or refrain from selecting representation by a labor organizations.
Intro: 8/5/2011 Rep. Scott (SC-1) Status: Education & Workforce
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Sponsor Scott, Westmoreland (GA-3)

S 1507 Employee Rights Act
(Companion to HR 2810)
Intro: 8/2/2011 Sen. Hatch (UT) Status: Health Education Labor & Pensions
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Burr (NC), Graham (SC), DeMint (SC), Sessions (AL), Paul (KY), Chambliss (GA), Cochran (MS)
 
HR 2854 Employer Free Choice Act
This bill would remove the requirement of employers to inform employees of rights under National Labor Relations Act.
Intro: 9/7/2011 Rep. DesJarlais (TN-4) Status: Education & Workforce
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Roe (TN-1), Boustany (LA-7), McHenry (NC-10), Fincher (TN-8), Price (GA-6), Broun (GA-10), Gowdy (SC-4), Mulvaney (SC-5), Duncan (SC-3), Black (TN-6), Brooks (AL-5), Scott (GA-8), Fleischmann (TN-3), Kingston (GA-1), Duncan (TN-2), Crawford (AR-1), Blackburn (TN-7), Foxx (NC-5), Westmoreland (GA-3), Scalise (LA-1)

S1562 State Local Hatch Act Reform Act
This bill would allow current LEO to run for Sheriff and other modifications to Title 5 US Code Section 1502. [Companion to HR 498]
Intro: 9/15/2011 Sen. Lugar (IN) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: None

Benefits

HR 379 “Community Partners Next Door Act of 2011”
This bill attempts to provide housing assistance to LEO (and teachers).
Intro: 1/20/2011 Rep. Lee (CA-9)) Status: Housing Community Opportunity
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: None

HR 454 State Capitol Police Reimbursement to Local Law Enforcement
This bill would require reimbursement to local law enforcement for protection at public congressional events.
Intro: 1/26/2011 Rep. Roe (TN-1) Status: House Administration Cmte.
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Sponsor Roe
 
HR 504 Terrorist Prevention Immunity
This bill would provide immunity to LEO taking action to prevent terrorist acts.
Intro: 1/26/2011 Rep. Myrick (NC-9) Status: Constitution Subcmte.
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Sponsor Myrick

HR 567 Public Employee Pension Transparency Act
This bill would require certain reporting by State & Local retirement systems.
Intro: 2/9/2011 Rep. Nunes (CA-21) Status: Ways & Means
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: McHenry (NC-10), Myrick (NC-9), Duncan (SC-3), Jones (NC-3), Coble (NC-6), Scalise (LA-1), McKinley (WV-1), Duncan (TN-2), Blackburn (TN-7), Westmoreland (GA-3), Gowdy (SC-4), Forbes (VA-4), Rigell (VA-2), Griffin (AR-2)

S 347 (Companion to HR 567)
Intro: 2/15/2011 Sen. Burr (NC) Status: Finance
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Sponsor Burr (NC), Isakson (GA), Chambliss (GA)

Concealed Carry

S 176 “Common Sense Concealed Firearms Permit Act of 2011”
This bill would limit state concealed carry laws.
Intro: 1/25/2011 Sen. Boxer (CA) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: None
 
HR 2900 Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement Act of 2011
This bill would regulate the concealed carry of firearms across state lines.
Intro: 9/23/2011 Rep. Broun (GA-10) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Alderholt (AL-4)
 
Firearms (other)

HR 308 “Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act” (S 32)
This bill would outlaw ammo magazines with greater than 10 round capacity produced or purchased after enactment of law.
Intro: 1/18/2011 Rep. McCarthy (NY-4) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Cohen (TN-9), Connolly (VA-11), Moran (VA-8), Yarmuth (KY-3),
Scott (VA-3), Price (NC-4), Johnson (GA-4), Lewis (GA-5)
Republicans: None

S 32 “Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act”
(Companion to HR 308)
Intro: 1/25/2011 Sen. Lautenberg (NJ) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: None

HR 367 Possession of firearm near “on duty” member of Congress
This bill would prohibit possession of a firearm near where a member of Congress is performing an “official” duty or is campaigning for office.
Intro: 1/20/2011 Rep. Richardson (CA-37) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: None
 
HR 496 Possession of firearm near “on duty” member of Congress
(similar to HR 367)
Intro: 1/26/2011 Rep. King (NY-3) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: None

S 835 “BATF Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2011”
This bill would change how BATF performs and definitions of current firearm regulations.
Intro: 4/14/2011 by Sen. Crapo (R-ID) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: None

HR 1093 “BATF Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2011”
This bill would change how BATF performs and definitions of current firearm regulations. (companion to S 835)
Intro: 3/21/2011 by Rep. King (IA-5) Status: Homeland Security Sub-cmte
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Ross (AR-4), Barrow (GA-12), Bishop (GA-2), Chandler (KY-6), Kissell (NC-8), Shuler (NC-11), Rahall (WV-3)
Republicans: Scalise (LA-1), Jones (NC-3), Gingrey (GA-11), Brooks, (AL-5), Alexander (LA-5), Bonner (AL-1), Broun (GA-10), Forbes (VA-4), Wittman (VA-1), Landry (LA-3), Duncan (TN-2), DesJariais (TN-4), Scott (GA-8), Westmoreland (GA-3), Roe (TN-1), Rogers (AL-3), Griffin (AR-2), Graves (GA-9), Foxx (NC-5), Rogers (KY-5), Coble (NC-6), McHenry (NC-10), Davis (KY-4), Hurt (VA-5), Boustany (LA-7), Fincher (TN-8), Guthrie (KY-2), Nunnelee (MS-1), McKinley (WV-1), Cassidy (LA-6), Harper (MS-3), Kingston (GA-1), Rigell (VA-2), Wilson (SC-2), Alderholt (AL-4), Scott (SC-1), Duncan (SC-3)

Work Conditions

S 241 Non-Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection Act of 2011
This bill would expand whistleblower protections to non-Federal employees whose disclosures involve misuse of Federal funds.
Intro: 1/31/2011 Sen. McCaskill (MO) Status: Government Affairs
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Webb (VA)
Republicans: None

S 306 National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2011
This bill would establish a commission to study and give recommendations on the state of the criminal justice system in America.
Intro: 2/8/2011 Sen. Webb (VA) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Sponsor Webb (VA), Hagan (NC), Warner (VA)
Republicans: Graham (SC),

HR 365 “National Blue Alert Act of 2011”
This bill would set up and standardize a national “Blue Alert” program similar to Amber Alert, but for injured or killed LEO (law enforcement officers).
Intro: 1/20/2011 Rep. Grimm (NY-13) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Cooper (TN-5)
Republicans: Capito (WV-2), Coble (NC-6)

S 657 National Blue Alert Act of 2011 (companion to HB 365)
This bill would set up and standardize a national “Blue Alert” program similar to Amber Alert, but for injured or killed LEO (law enforcement officers).
Intro: 3/28/2011 Sen. Cardin (MD) Status: Senate Calendar #160
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: None
Republicans: Graham (SC)

To read text of listed bills click on the Library of Congress link below then enter bill #.

http://thomas.loc.gov/