Southern States PBA
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114th US Congress Update February 2015

 
NEW BILLS of INTEREST
 
HR 429 Grand Jury Reform Act
This bill would cause an officer use of deadly force to be reviewed by Judge
Intro: 1/21/2015 Rep. Johnson (GA-4) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Sponsor, Thompson (MS-2), Beyer (VA-8), Butterfield (NC-1),
Scott (GA-13), Lewis (GA-5), Connolly (VA-11)
Republicans: none
 
HR 814 Thin Blue Line Act
This bill would make the murder of law officer an aggravating factor in death penalty
Intro: 2/9/2015 Rep. Jolly (FL-13) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Mooney (WV-2)
 
HR 1065 Sensitivity Training Required
This bill would require sensitivity training of officers in states receiving JAG grants
Intro: 2/25/2015 Rep. Clay (MO-1) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
 
HR 1102 Federal Penalty for Assault or Homicide by Law Officer
This bill wording has yet to be released.
Intro: 2/26/2015 Rep. Johnson (GA-4) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Sponsor, Thompson (MS-2)
Republicans: none
 
HR 1124 Law Enforcement Body Camera Grant Program
This bill would provide grants for body cameras and their use.
Intro: 2/26/2015 Rep. Green (TX-9) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
 
 
HR 1148 Michael Davis Jr. in Honor State & Local Law Enforcement Act
This bill would revise the provisions of state and local enforcement in immigration enforcement.  
Intro: 2/27/2015 Rep. Gowdy (SC-4) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Sponsor, Goodlatte (VA-6), Collins (GA-9), Forbes (VA-4), Loudermilk (GA-11), Brooks (AL-5), Byrne (AL-1), Rogers (AL-3), Pittenger (NC-9)
 
S 380 Correction Officer Fairness Act
This bill would allow correction officers to penalty free early withdraw of retirement.
Intro: 2/5/2015 Sen. Toomey (PA) Status: Finance
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Capito (WV)
 
S 391 National Right to Work
This bill would enact a national right to work law.
Intro: 2/5/2015 Sen. Paul (KY) Status: Education, Labor & Pensions
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: McConnell (KY), Boozman (AR), Cochran (MS), Vitter (LA), Wicker (MS), Scott (SC)
 
New Firearm Bills
 
House:
752      Large capacity magazine prohibition
923      Concealed carry reciprocity
986      Concealed carry reciprocity
1076    Prohibit firearm transfer to terrorist
1114    Antique firearm redefined
1180    Prohibit further federal regulation of ammunition
 
Senate
407      Large capacity magazine prohibition
477      Firearm dealer/mfg protection act
498      Concealed carry reciprocity
551      Prohibit firearm transfer to terrorist
 
 
 
 
BILL UPDATES (Changes in Red)
 
Labor
 
HR 612 Labor Union Free Choice
This bill would permit, not mandate, union membership
Intro: 1/28/2015 Rep. King (IA-4) Status: Education & Workforce
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Barr (KY-6), Blackburn (TN-7), Brat (VA-7), Brooks (AL-5),
Collins (GA-9), Comstock (VA-10), Crawford (AR-1), DesJariais (TN-4),
Duncan (SC-3), Duncan (TN-2), Fincher (TN-8), Fleischmann (TN-3), Foxx (NC-5), Goodlatte (VA-6), Graves (GA-14), Griffith (VA-9), Hudson (NC-8),
Loudermilk (GA-11), Massie (KY-4), McHenry (NC-10), Meadows (NC-11), Mulvaney (SC-5), Nunnelee (MS-1), Palmer (AL-6), Pittenger (NC-9), Roby (AL-2), Scott (GA-8), Westmoreland (GA-3), Wilson (SC-2), Womack (AR-3), Black (TN-6), Fleming (LA-4), Price (GA-6), Allen (GA-12)
 
 
Working Conditions
 
HR 74 Funding for Required Custodial Interrogation Recording
This bill would require recording of all interrogations and provide funds for equipment
Intro: 1/6/2015 Rep. Lee (TX-8) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
 
HR 139 Amend Title 10 DoD Surplus
This bill would set restrictions on Federal surplus equipment to local law enforcement
Intro: 1/6/2015 Rep. Jolly (FL-13) Status: Armed Services
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Byrne (AL-1)
 
HR 306 Deadly Force Transparency
This bill would require reporting of all uses of deadly force
Intro: 1/13/2015 Rep. Cohen (TN-9) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Sponsor Cohen,
Republicans: none
 
 
HR 472 Correction Officer Protection
This bill would permit use of pepper spray by Federal Prison employees
Intro: 1/22/2015 Rep. McKinley (WV-1) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
 
Benefits
 
HR 95 Protection From Municipal Bankruptcies
This bill would provide protect of pensions from bankrupt cities
Intro: 1/22/2015 Rep. Conyers (MI-13) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Cohen (TN-9), Johnson (GA/4)
Republicans: none
 
HR 97 Protection From Municipal Bankruptcies
This bill would provide protect of pensions from bankrupt cities
Intro: 1/12/2015 Rep. Conyers (MI-13) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Cohen (TN-9), Johnson (GA/4)
Republicans: none
 
HR 228 Armor Vest Funds
This bill would extend federal funds for bullet resist vest through 2018
Intro: 1/8/2015 Rep. LoBiondo (NJ-2) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:  
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
 
HR 378 Responsible Body Armor Possession
This bill would regulate who may possess body armor
Intro: 1/14/2015 Rep. Honda (CA-17) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
 
S 125 Body Armor Fund Extension
This bill would extend Federal fund for body armor and REQUIRE to be worn
Intro: 1/8/2015 Sen. Leahy (VT) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats:
Republicans: Graham (SC)
 
 
 
Firearm Bills
 
H 46    Require security device when transfer ownership
H 86    Repeal firearm restriction on school property
H 131  Modify interstate transport firearm law
H 225  Require Consumer Product Safety Comm. to regulate firearms
H 226  Prevent firearm possession by violent persons
H 368  Prohibit private ownership transfer of firearms
H 376  Prohibit do-it-yourself firearm kits
H 377  Restrict homemade firearms
H 402  Interstate concealed carry reciprocity
 
S 173   Redefine “antique” firearm
S 213   Require permanent bright color on toy firearms
S 225   Remove certain hunt/fish items from EPA toxic list (ammo)
 
 
To read text of listed bills click on the Library of Congress link below then enter bill #.

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