Southern States PBA
118th US Congress Update January 2023
Feb 6, 2023
Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
Governmental Affairs
118th US Congress Update
January 2023
NEW BILLS of INTEREST
HR 58 Amend Homeland Security to Report on State/Local Law Enforcement
This bill would require an annual reporting of state and local law enforcement activities.
Intro: 1/9/2023 Rep. Jackson-Lee (TX-18) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
HR 82 Social Security Fairness Act
This bill would eliminate the “windfall elimination” provision and other modifications to Social Security benefits.
Intro: 1/9/2023 Rep. Graves (LA-6) Status: Ways & Means
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Spanberger (VA-7), Bishop (GA-2), Adams (NC-12), Ross (NC-2), Connolly (VA-11), Williams (GA-5), Carter (LA-2), Thompson (MS-2), Wexton (VA-10)
Republicans: Sponsor Graves (LA-6), Comer (KY-1), Letlow (LA-5), Higgins (LA-2), Johnson (LA-4), Massie (KY-4), Moore (AL-2), Barr (KY-6), Carl (AL-1), Rogers (KY-5), Crawford (AR-1)
HR 130 Thin Blue Line Act
This bill would provide additional aggravating factors for the imposition of the death penalty based on the status of the victim.
Intro: 1/9/2023 Rep. Buchanan (FL-16) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Norman (SC-5), Graves (LA-6), Kustoff (TN-8)
HR 233 Amend the Revised Statute to Codify Qualified Immunity in Section 1979
This bill would amend the Revised Statute to codify the defense of qualified immunity in the case of any action under section 1979.
Intro: 1/10/2023 Rep. Banks (IN-3) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Guest (MS-3), Kustoff (TN-8), Clyde (GA-9), Barr (KY-6)
HR 355 Back the Blue Act
This bill would enhance action against those who assault or kill a law enforcement officer.
Intro: 1/13/2023 Rep. Bacon (NE-2) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Carl (AL-1), Barr (KY-6), Allen (GA-12)
HR 374 Abolish BATFE
This bill would abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives.
Intro: 1/17/2023 Rep. Gaetz (FL-1) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Collins (GA-10)
HR 472 PTSD & Acute Stress Disorder Treatment for Public Safety Officers
This bill would require the Attorney general propose treatment program for public safety officers experiencing PTSD or Acute Stress Disorder.
Intro: 1/24/2023 Rep. Joyce (OH-14) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: Ross (NC-2)
Republicans: none
S 166 Amend Family & Medical Leave Act
This bill would amend FMLA to provide leave for loss of unborn child.
Intro: 1/31/2023 Sen. Cotton (AR) Status: Finance
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: Boozman (AR), Budd (NC), Hyde-Smith (MS), Wicker (MS)
S 167 Prohibit Vaccination Mandates for COVID-19
This bill would Prohibit Vaccination Mandates for COVID-19.
Intro: 1/31/2023 Sen. Cruz (TX) Status: Judiciary
Cosponsors from SSPBA states:
Democrats: none
Republicans: none
New Firearm Bills
House
38 National Concealed Carry
46 Mental Health Info to NCIC
151 Changes to Shotgun Regulation
173 Changes to Rifle Regulation
283 Prohibit Federal “Red Flag”
354 National Conceal Carry for Law Enforcement
363 Prohibit Firearms for Pot Users
381 Redefine Pistol/Modified Rifle
385 Prohibit Firearm “User” Fees
569 Handgun Licensing
584 Ammunition Purchase Restrictions
625 Regulate Ammo Magazines
646 Redefine “Firearms” in National Firearms Act
660 Safe Storage Law
667 Expand 3-Day Waiting Period
Senate
14 Prohibit Firearms to under 21 Year Olds
25 Assault Weapons Ban
117 Fund Handgun Licensing
118 Enhance Firearm Law Enforcement
163 Redefine “Firearms” in National Firearms Act
To read text of listed bills click on the Library of Congress link below then enter bill #.
May 6, 2026
Hayden Linton was born in San Diego, California but has called Rogers, Arkansas home since the age of three when his dad retired from the Navy. His hometown offers a powerful sense of community that Hayden appreciates. "No matter where you go or what you are doing, you will always be greeted by happy people, with a smile on their face. In Rogers as a kid, it was also very rare to be bored." He continues, "We have countless hidden gems behind every corner that make this city so entertaining to live in and so easy to call home."
moreApril 29, 2026
To say Hannah Williams is actively active might be an understatement. She is one of 20 students across 11 SSPBA divisions to receive a PBF scholarship this year through a parent's membership in PBA. Her stepfather is Robert J. Maxbauer III, a K9 handler of K9 J�ger at Louisburg (N.C.) Police Department for almost a year.
moreApril 22, 2026
Jackson Patterson is a freshman at the University of South Alabama with several big ambitions. He's just not sure which ones he will follow yet. "Right now, my biggest challenge is deciding what I want my future to look like," he told me. He's studying engineering, and it's possible that he chooses to go straight into building a career in the aerospace industry after college. But it's also possible that he takes an even more interesting path ? he's interested in traveling the world and performing on stage, for example ? because if one thing's for sure about Jackson, it's that he's willing to branch out and try new things that he finds exciting ? even if they're unconventional.
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