Southern States PBA
116th US Congress Update September 2019
Oct 3, 2019
Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
Governmental Affairs
116th US Congress Update
September 2019
NEW BILLS of INTEREST
HR 4339 End Racial Profiling
This bill would provide funding and require data collection on law enforcement-citizen contacts.
Intro: 9/16/2019 Rep. Lee (TX-18) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Adams (NC-12), Bishop (GA-2), Cohen (TN-9), Connolly (VA-11), Johnson (GA-4), Price (NC-4), Richmond (LA-2), Sewell (AL-7), Thompson (MS-2)
Republicans: none
HR 4359
This bill would prohibit Federal law enforcement officers from use of deadly or less lethal force unless necessary and encourages states to adopt similar policies.
Intro: 9/17/2019 Rep. Khanna (CA-17) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Thompson (MS-2), Butterfield (NC-2)
Republicans: none
HR 4440 Police Exercising Absolute Care with Everyone
This bill would establish protocol for investigation of deadly force by federal officers.
Intro: 9/20/2019 Rep. Cohen (TN-9) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Sponsor Cohen
Republicans: none
New Firearm Bills
House
4255 Firearm Trafficking Reduction (TRACE) Act
4271 Gun Suicide Prevention Act
4324 Multiple Firearm Sales Reporting
Senate
2449 Federal Firearm Licensing Act
BILL UPDATES (Changes in Red)
Labor
HR 1154 ** COLLECTIVE BARGAINING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS
This bill would provide for collective bargaining by local/state officers.
Intro: 2/13/2019 Rep. Kildee (MI-5) Status: Education and Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Cohen (TN-9), Scott (VA-3), Connolly (VA-11), Adams (NC-12), Luria (VA-2), Beyer (VA-8), Price (NC-4), McBath (GA-6), Thompson (MS-2), Cooper (TN5), Richmond (LA-2), Wexton (VA-10)
Republicans: McKinley (WV-1)
S 525 Free Choice
This bill would preserve employee free choice to join labor organization or not.
Intro: 2/14/2019 Sen. Paul (KY) Status: Education & Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Wicker (MS), Hyde-Smith (MS), Blackburn (TN), Cotton (AR), Scott (SC), Purdue (GA), Boozman (AR)
S 664 Freedom to Organize Act
This bill would amend the National Labor Relations Act to clarify the requirements for meeting the definition of the term “employee.”
Intro: 3/5/2019 Sen. Brown (OH) Status: Health, Ed., and Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
HR 2571 National Right to Work Act
This bill would preserve and protect the free choice of individual employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, or to refrain from such activities.
Intro: 5/8/2019 Rep. Wilson (SC-2) Status: Education & Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Sponsor Wilson, Allen (GA-12), Meadows (NC-11), Fleischmann (TN-3), Brooks (AL-5), Rice (SC-7), Hice (GA-10), Palazzo (MS-4), Roe (TN-1), Norman (SC-5), Duncan (SC-3), Hudson (NC-8), Massie (KY-4), Crawford (AR-1), Collins (GA-9), Budd (NC-13), Graves (GA-14), Hill (AR-2), Timmons (SC-4), Palmer (AL-6), Rouzer (NC-7), Carter (GA-1), Westerman (AR-4), Kustoff (TN-8), Womack (AR-3), DesJariais (TN-4), Loudermilk (GA-11), Johnson (LA-4)
S 1394 ** Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act
This bill would provide collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or their political subdivisions.
Intro: 5/9/2019 Sen. Baldwin (WI) Status: Education & Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
S 1411 Amicus Act
This bill would amend title 28, United States Code, to require certain disclosures related to amicus activities.
Intro: 5/9/2019 Sen. Whitehouse (RI) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
HR 3463 Public Employee Collective Bargain
This bill would secure the rights of public employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively, which safeguard the public interest and promote the free and unobstructed flow of commerce.
Intro: 6/25/2019 Rep. Cartwright (PA-8) Status: Education & Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Scott (VA-3), Cohen (TN-9), Lewis (GA-5), Johnson (GA-4), Yamuth (KY-3), Beyer (VA-8), Luria (VA-2), McEachin (VA-4), Wexton (VA-10), Connolly (VA-11)
Republicans: none
S 1970 Public Employee Collective Bargain
This bill would secure the rights of public employees to organize, act concertedly, and bargain collectively, which safeguard the public interest and promote the free and unobstructed flow of commerce, and for other purposes.
Intro: 6/25/2019 Sen. Hirono (HI) Status: Education & Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
Working Conditions
HR 119 Attorney General to Collect Info on Law Enforcement Deadly Force
This bill would require the Attorney general to collect and compile info on law enforcement use of deadly force.
Intro: 1/3/2019 Rep. Cohen (TN-9) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Sponsor Cohen, Connolly (VA-11), Johnson (GA-4)
Republicans: none
HR 125 Sensitivity Training and Independent Investigation of Deadly force
This bill would provide grants to states that require law enforcement officer sensitivity training and independent investigation and prosecution of use of deadly force by officers
Intro: 1/3/2019 Rep. Cohen (TN-9) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Sponsor Cohen, Scott (VA-3), Thompson (MS-3), Johnson (GA-4), Scott (GA-13), McEachin (VA-4), Richmond (LA-2), Sewell (AL-7), Yamuth (KY-3), Cooper (TN-5)
Republicans: none
HR 608 School Resource Officer Federal Training Guidelines
This bill would establish federal Training Guidelines for School Resource Officers
Intro: 1/16/2019 Rep. Higgins (LA-3) Status: Education & Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Sponsor Higgins
HR 2329 Law Enforcement Immersive Training
This bill would develop real-life training scenario training for law enforcement
Intro: 4/15/2019 Rep. Ryan (OH-13) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
S 1135 Protecting Our Heroes
This bill would enhance penalties for attacks on law enforcement officers
Intro: 4/10/2019 Sen. Sullivan (AK) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
HR 2698 Training for Mental Health Crisis Response
This bill would provide for behavioral health crisis response training for law enforcement officers.
Intro: 5/14/2019 Rep. Horn (OK-5) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Cooper (TN-5)
Republicans: none
S 1464 Training for Mental Health Crisis Response
This bill would provide for behavioral health crisis response training for law enforcement officers.
Intro: 5/14/2019 Sen. Inhofe (OK) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Boozman (AR)
S 1938 Incentive for States which require Independent Investigation and Prosecution of Officers’ Use of Deadly Force
This bill would provide financial incentive for States which require Independent Investigation and Prosecution of Officers’ Use of Deadly Force
Intro: 6/20/2019 Sen. Duckworth (IL) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
HR 3735 Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection
This bill would require the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to provide information on suicide rates in law enforcement.
Intro: 7/12/2019 Rep. Quigley (IL-5) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Spanberger (VA-7)
Republicans: none
HR 4049 Federal Agency Head May Not Prohibit State/Local Bodycam Use
This bill would allow state/local law enforcement to use bodycams during joint operations with federal law enforcement.
Intro: 7/25/2019 Rep. Norton (DC) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Beyer (VA-8)
Republicans: none
HR 4052 Prohibit Imposition of Death Penalty
This bill would eliminate the federal death penalty.
Intro: 7/25/2019 Rep. Pressley (MA-7) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Lewis (GA-5), Butterfield (NC-1), Bishop (GA-2), Johnson (GA-4)
Republicans: none
S 2434 National Criminal Justice Commission Act
This bill would establish the National Criminal Justice Commission.
Intro: 8/1/2019 Sen. Peters (MI) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Graham (SC), Capito (WV), Kaine (VA), Kennedy (LA)
Benefits
HR 141 Repeal Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination
This bill would repeal the government pension offset and windfall elimination provision.
Intro: 1/3/2019 Rep. Davis (IL-13) Status: Ways and Means
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Price (NC-4), Connolly (VA-11), Cohen (TN-9), Yarmuth (KY-3), Bishop (GA-2), Richmond (LA-2), Scott (VA-3), Wexton (VA-10), Luria (VA-2)
Republicans: Massie (KY-4), Graves (LA-6), Comer (KY-1), Rogers (KY-5), Abraham (LA-5), Higgins (LA-3), McKinley (WV-1), Johnson (LA-4), Guthrie (KY-2), Barr (KY-6), Byrne (AL-1), Scalise (LA-1), Wittman (VA-1)
HR 372 Provide Public Safety Death Benefits to TSA Employees
This bill would provide TSA employees the public safety officers death benefits
Intro: 1/9/2019 Rep. Brownley (CA-26) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Beyer (VA-8), Johnson (GA-4), McEachin (VA-4), Cohen (TN-9), Luria (VA-2)
Republicans: Brooks (AL-5)
HR 816 Death Benefits to Campus Police
This bill would provide federal death/disability benefits to campus police officers
Intro: 1/28/2019 Rep. King (NY-2) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Cohen (TN-9), Cooper (TN-5)
Republicans: none
HR 983 Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act
This bill would amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to provide leave because of the death of a son or daughter.
Intro: 2/5/2019 Rep. Schneider (IL-10) Status: Education & Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Beyer (VA-8)
Republicans: Riggleman (VA-5)
HR 1210 Reforms to Public Safety Officers Benefits Program
This bill would make changes to the federal benefits program
Intro: 2/13/2019 Rep. Ruiz (CA-36) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Wexton (VA-10), Sewell (AL-7), Spanberger (VA-7), Richmond (LA-2), Luria (VA-2)
Republicans: none
HR 1256 Disabled Officers Retirement Benefits
This bill would permit disabled officers to receive retirement benefits as if they were not disabled.
Intro: 2/14/2019 Rep. Connolly (VA-11) Status: Intelligence
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Sponsor Connolly, McBath (GA-6), Wexton (VA-10)
Republicans: Riggleman (VA-5)
HR 1325 Punish Offenses Targeting Law Enforcement
This bill would enhance punishment for officer targeted offenses.
Intro: 2/22/2019 Rep. Rutherford (FL-4) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Guthrie (KY-2), Barr (KY-6), Scalise (LA-1)
HR 1646 Hero Act
This bill would improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues among public safety officers.
Intro: 3/8/2019 Rep. Bera (CA-7) Status: Energy and Commerce
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Wexton (VA-10)
Republicans: Roe (TN-1)
S 413 Law Enforcement Training in Behavior Crisis Response
This bill would require law enforcement training in behavior crisis response.
Intro: 2/7/2019 Sen. Klobucher (MN) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
S 465 Reforms to Public Safety Officers Benefits Program
This bill would make changes to the federal benefits program
Intro: 2/12/2019 Sen. Duckworth (IL) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
S 531 Disabled Officers Retirement Benefits
This bill would permit disabled officers to receive retirement benefits as if they were not disabled.
Intro: 2/14/2019 Sen. Tester (MT) Status: Homeland Security
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
S 572 Amend Family Medical Leave Act to include Death of Child
This bill would make changes to the FMLA to include leave for child death.
Intro: 2/26/2019 Sen. Tester (MT) Status: Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
S 710 Social Security Fairness for Officers
This bill would exempt firefighters and police officers from the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions under the Social Security Act.
Intro: 3/7/2019 Sen. Toomey (PA) Status: Finance
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
HR 2126 State/Local Pensions Accountability & Security
This bill would prohibit federal bailout of state/local pensions
Intro: 4/8/2019 Rep. Babin (TX-36) Status: Education & Labor
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Norman (SC-5), Hice (GA-10), Roe (TN-1)
HR 2368 Support/Treat Officers in Crisis
This bill would expand federal support for mental health programs for officers
Intro: 4/25/2019 Rep. Reschenthaler (PA-14) Status: Calendared #103
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: McBath (GA-6)
Republicans: Collins (GA-9), Kustoff (TN-8)
HR 2379 Reauthorize Bulletproof Vest Grants
This bill would reauthorize the vest grant program
Intro: 4/29/2019 Rep. Pascrell (NJ-9) Status: PASSED (Public Law 116-18)
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Spanberger (VA-7)
Republicans: Collins (GA-9), Byrne (AL-1)
S 998 Support/Treat Officers in Crisis
This bill would expand federal support for mental health programs for officers
Intro: 4/3/2019 Sen. Hawley (MO) Status: PASSED – Public Law 116-32
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Tillis (NC), Blackburn (TN), Cotton (AR), Capito (WV)
S 1208 Protecting First Responders
This bill would amend federal line-of-duty disability program
Intro: 4/11/2019 Sen. Grassley (IA) Status: Passed Senate, to House Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
S 1231 Reauthorize Bulletproof Vest Grants
This bill would reauthorize the vest grant program
Intro: 4/30/2019 Sen. Leahy (VT) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Graham (SC), Tillis (NC)
HR 2696 Supporting Health & Safety of Law Enforcement
This bill would provide grants to community mental health centers for the placement of social workers with law enforcement agencies.
Intro: 5/14/2019 Rep. Harder (CA-10) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
HR 2812 Protecting First Responders
This bill would provide benefits for officers permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty.
Intro: 5/16/2019 Rep. Pascrell (NJ-9) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Kustoff (TN-8)
HR 2840 Amend Tax Code for First Responders Benefits
This bill would treat certain benefits as “earned income.”
Intro: 5/20/2019 Rep. Beyer (VA-8) Status: Ways & Means
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Sponsor Beyer
Republicans: none
S 1278 First Responders First
This bill would allow first responders to continue to exclude service-connected disability pension payments after reaching the age of retirement.
Intro: 5/2/2019 Sen. Daines (MT) Status: Finance
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
Firearm Bills
House
8 Background Check for All Firearm Sales
33 Gun Trafficking Prohibition
38 Conceal Carry Reciprocity
155 Amen IRS Code to Remove Silencers from Firearm Definition
167 Prohibit Transfer of Firearm at Gun Show by Unlicensed Dealer
282 Sensible Reform to Firearm Regulations
569 Protect Stalking Victims from Firearm Violence
686 Regulation of Ammunition
687 National Handgun Registration & License
717 Restrict firearm sales to 21 Year Olds and Above
820 Background Checks for Gun Show Purchases
822 Require Liability Insurance to Purchase Firearm
869 Undetectable Firearms Act Revisions
930 Firearm Identity Markings and Stolen Reporting Required
952 Regulate Armor Piercing Ammo
971 Bill to Avert Future Gun Violence
1072 Limit States to Regulate Rifles/Shotguns
1112 Strengthen Background Checks
1115 Include Firearms in Consumer Product Safety
1116 Prohibit Firearms by “High-Risk” Individuals
1156 Law Enforcement Concealed Carry
1186 Regulate Large-Feed Magazines
1236 States Authority to Regulate Firearms
1262 Raise Age for Rifle/Shotgun Purchase
1263 Semi-Auto Rifle with Magazine Feed Under Fed Firearms Act
1266 Firearm Assembly Kits Regulated as Firearms
1279 BJA Grants for Gun Buy-Back Programs
1296 2nd Amend not Unlimited
1297 Armor Piercing Ammo in Fed Firearms Act
1339 Create Mass Violence Prevention Center
1454 3-Day Wait to Receive a Firearm
1501 Allow Officers Carry Concealed on School Property
1531 Deny Firearms to Dangerous Terrorists
1670 Prevent Gun Trafficking
1671 Background Denial Notification
1705 Prevent Purchase of Ammunition by Prohibited Persons
1745 Prohibit Firearm Possession by Certain Persons
2071 Second Amendment Protection
2179 Federal Firearms License Protection
2303 Violent Gun Offender Registry
2634 Closing loophole on interstate sales
2670 PLEA Act (restrict certain weapons/ammo)
2671 Regulate Flamethrowers
2708 Restrict ownership from convicted “hate crime” offenders
2765 Permit officers to purchase service weapons
2805 Permit Uniformed officers to carry weapons in Federal buildings
2867 Require safe storage of firearms
2959 Assault weapons ban
3214 Justice for Gun Violence Victims
3234 Keeping Gun Dealers Honest
3265 3D Printed Gun Safety
3285 Handgun Purchaser License
3404 Give Local Law Enforcement Chief Firearm Transfer Denial Authority
3435 Encourage State Laws to Allow Local Regulation of Firearms
3454 Regulate Firearm Silencers
3553 All Firearms Traceable
3554 State Mental Health Reporting of Firearm Prohibited Persons
3606 Prohibit “Bump Stocks”
3826 Protect Veteran’s Second Amendment Rights
4062 Require Firearm Purchase Record
4080 Require Safe Storage Firearms
4081 Require Firearm Registration
4082 Prohibit Private Firearm Sales
4116 Reduce “Straw Purchases” of Firearms
4177 Gun Safety Board & Research Act
Senate
7 Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act of 2019
42 Background Check for All Firearm Sales
66 Regulate Assault Weapons
69 Conceal Carry Reciprocity
320 Securing Firearms Act
443 Redefine Antique Firearms
447 Regulate Large capacity Magazines
459 Regulate “Ghost” guns
506 Remove Firearms from Dangerous Individuals
730 Prevent Gun Trafficking
1462 Restrict ownership from convicted “hate crime” offenders
1519 Address mental illness and firearm possession
1779 Justice for Gun Violence Victims
1788 Federal Firearms License Protection
1795 Keeping Gun Dealers Honest
1831 3D Printed Gun Safety
1844 Handgun Purchaser License
1924 Prevent Purchase Ammo by Prohibited Persons
1943 Regulate Firearm Silencers
2272 Require Firearm Licensing
2376 Stop Illegal Trafficking of Firearms
To read text of listed bills click on the Library of Congress link below then enter bill #.
May 1, 2024
The Southern States Police Benevolent Association is committed to keeping you informed of federal legislation that may affect your work-life, pay and benefits.
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The Southern States Police Benevolent Association is committed to keeping you informed of federal legislation that may affect your work-life, pay and benefits.
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