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118th US Congress Update May 2023

Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc.

Governmental Affairs

 

118th US Congress Update

May 2023

 

 

NEW BILLS of INTEREST

 

HR 3079 Back the Blue Act 2023

This bill would make it a crime to murder a US Judge, Federal Law Enforcement Officer, or federally funded law enforcement officer.

Intro: 5/5/2023 Rep. Bacon (NE-2) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Carl (AL-1), Barr (KY-6), Allen (GA-12), Hudson (NC-9)

 

HR 3170 Helper Act 2023

This bill would amend the National Housing Act to establish a mortgage insurance program for first responders.

Intro: 5/10/2023 Rep. Rutherford (FL-5) Status: Financial Services

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Jackson (NC-14), Wexton (VA-10)

Republicans: none

 

HR 3381 National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Program

This bill would establish the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Program

Intro: 5/16/2023 Rep. Nehls (TX-22) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Davis (NC-1)

Republicans: Ezell (MS-4), Ferguson (GA-3), Carl (AL-1)

 

HR 3539 State/Local Law Enforcement Collective Bargaining Rights

This bill would provide collective bargaining rights for public safety officers employed by States or their political subdivisions

Intro: 5/18/2023 Rep. Stauber (MN-8) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Manning (NC-6)

Republicans: none

 

HR 3639 To establish and expand child care programs for parents who work nontraditional hours.

This bill’s text is not yet available

Intro: 5/24/2023 Rep. Hinson (IA-2) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

S 1569 Back the Blue Act 2023

This bill would make it a crime to murder a US Judge, Federal Law Enforcement Officer, or federally funded law enforcement officer.

Intro: 5/11/2023 Sen. Cornyn (TX) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: McConnell (KY), Graham (SC), Tillis (NC), Blackburn (TN), Boozman (AR), Capito (WV), Britt (AL), Hyde-Smith (MS), Kennedy (LA), Cotton (AR), Budd (NC), Scott (SC), Hagerty (TN), Cassidy (LA), Tuberville (AL), Wicker (MS)

 

S 1617 Protect Federal, State, and Local Public Safety Officers

This bill text is not yet available.

Intro: 5/16/2023 Sen. Sullivan (AK) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

S 1733 Assault on Law Enforcement Officer Deportable Offense

This bill would make assault on a law enforcement officer a deportable offense.

Intro: 5/18/2023 Sen. Budd (NC) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Tillis (NC), Capito (WV), Blackburn (TN), Hagerty (TN), Britt (AL)

 

 

New Firearm Bills

 

House

 

3096    Firearms Under Consumer Product Safety Regulations

3122    Background Check on Gun Show Purchases

3155    Prohibit Semi-Auto Firearm Sale to Under 25 yr old

3269    “Modernize” Federal Firearm Laws (include less-than-lethal)

3492    Prohibit Federal Funds for State Firearm Owner Databases

3687    Regulate Juvenile Possession of Firearm

 

Senate

 

1460    Firearms Under Consumer Product Safety Regulations

1680    Prohibit Federal Funds for State Firearm Owner Databases

 

 

BILL UPDATES (Changes in Red)

 

Labor

 

HR 719 Amend Labor Management Relations Act

This bill would amend the Labor Management Relations Act to prohibit neutrality agreements.

Intro: 2/1/2023 Rep. Good (VA-5) Status: Education and workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Sponsor Good, Ogles (TN-5)

 

HR 721 Union Integrity Act

This bill would amend the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act of 1959 to provide whistleblower protection for union employees.

Intro: 2/1/2023 Rep. Good (VA-5) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Sponsor Good, Ogles (TN-5)

 

HR 1200 Labor Union Free Choice

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: 2/27/2023 Rep. Wilson (SC-2) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Sponsor Wilson, Duncan (SC-3),Ferguson(GA-3), Graves (LA-6), Carter (GA-1), Ezell (MS-4), Timmons (SC-4), DesJariais (TN-4), Comer (KY-1), Mooney (WV-2), Moore (AL-2), Wittman (VA-1), Mace (SC-1), McHenry (NC-10), Ogles (TN-5), Norman (SC-5), Fry (SC-7), Clyde (GA-9), Good (VA-5), Guest (MS-3), Allen (GA-12), Fleischmann (TN-3), Strong (AL-5), Womack (AR-3), Bishop (NC-8), Green (TN-7), Hudson (NC-9), Letlow (LA-5), Carl (AL-1), Edwards (NC-11), Massie (KY-4), Scott (GA-8)

 

S 532 Labor Union Free Choice

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: 2/27/2023 Sen. Paul (KY) Status: Calendared

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Sponsor Paul, Blackburn (TN), Wicker (MS), Scott (SC), Boozman (AR), Hyde-Smith (MS), Tuberville (AL), Cassidy (LA)

 

HR 2700 Employee Rights Act

This bill would reform collective bargaining definition.

Intro: 4/28/2023 Rep. Allen (GA-12) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Sponsor Allen, Scott (GA-8), Duncan (SC-3), Good (VA-5), Comer (KY-1), Hudson (NC-9), Loudermilk (GA-11), Wilson (SC-2), Ferguson (GA-3), Norman (SC-5), Carter (GA-1), Ezell (MS-4), Mace (SC-1), Moore (AL-2), Letlow (LA-5)

 

S 1201 Employee Rights Act

This bill would reform collective bargaining definition.

Intro: 4/19/2023 Sen. Scott (SC) Status: Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Sponsor Scott, Cassidy (LA), Hyde-Smith (MS), Hagerty (TN), Budd (NC), Tuberville (AL), McConnell (KY), Wicker (MS), Blackburn (TN), Paul (KY), Britt (AL), Boozman (AR)

 

 

Working Conditions

 

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 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), Johnson (LA-4), Ezell (MS-4), Crawford (AR-1), Mace (SC-1), Comer (KY-1), Carter (GA-1), Barr (KY-6), Rose (TN-6), Rogers (AL-3)

 

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), Hudson (NC-9)

 

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), Hudson (NC-9)

 

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), Moore (AL-2)

 

HR 741 Bonus Protection Act

This bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to provide that an employee’s “regular rate” for purposes of calculating overtime compensation will not be affected by certain additional payments.

Intro: 2/2/2023 Rep. Calvert ((CA-41) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

HR 743 Protect and Serve Act

This bill would amend title 18, United States Code, to punish criminal offenses targeting law enforcement officers.

Intro: 2/2/2023 Rep. Rutherford (FL-5() Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Allen (GA-12), Letlow (LA-5), Foxx (NC-5), McHenry (NC-10), Edwards (NC-11), Norman (SC-5), Carter (GA-1), Graves (LA-6), Carl (AL-1), Guthrie (KY-2), Barr (KY-6), Ezell (MS-4), Hudson (NC-9)

 

HR 781 Amend Fair Labor Standards Act

This bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to clarify the status of an independent contractor.

Intro: 2/2/2023 Rep. Ferguson (GA-3) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Sponsor Ferguson, Miller (WV-1), Scott (GA-8), Moore (AL-2), Carl (AL-1)

 

HR 843 Federal Law Enforcement Body Cams

This bill would require Federal law enforcement officers to wear body cameras.

Intro: 2/6/2023 Rep. Norton (DC) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Beyer (VA-8)

Republicans: none

 

HR 852 Civilian Traffic Enforcement

This bill would direct the Attorney General to establish a grant program for civilian traffic violation enforcement.

Intro: 2/7/2023 Rep. Torres (NY-15) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

HR 1084 Amend Fair Labor Standards Act

This bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to exclude certain activities from hours worked.

Intro: 2/17/2023 Rep. Hinson (IA-2) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

S 262 Worker Surveillance and Data

This bill would prohibit, or require disclosure of, the surveillance, monitoring, and collection of certain worker data by employers.

Intro: 2/2/2023 Sen. Casey (PA) Status: Health, Education & Labor

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

S 1084 Eliminate Profiling

This bill would eliminate racial, religious, and other discriminatory profiling by law enforcement.

Intro: 3/30/2023 Sen. Cardin (MD) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Kaine (VA)

Republicans: none

 

HR 2494 POLICE Act of 2023

This bill would make the assault of a law enforcement officer a deportable offense.

Intro: 4/6/2023 Rep. Garbarino (NY-2) Status: Passed House

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Bishop (NC-8), Norman (SC-5), Greene (GA-14), Edwards (NC-11)

 

HR 2572 Supporting Women COPS Act

This bill would establish a Task Force on Women in Law Enforcement to study and develop national hiring standards for law enforcement officers.

Intro: 4/10/2023 Rep. Ross (NC-2) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Sponsor Ross, Foushee (NC-4)

Republicans: none

 

 

Benefits

 

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), Manning (NC-6), Davis (NC-1), McBath (GA-7), Scott (VA-3), Beyer (VA-8), Cohen (TN-9), McGarvey (KY-3), McClellan (VA-4), Jackson (NC-14), Johnson (GA-4)

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), Scott (GA-8), Guest (MS-3), Wittman (VA-1), Fleischmann (TN-3), Kiggans (VA-2), Guthrie (KY-2), Kelly (MS-1)

 

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), Manning (NC-6)

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

 

HR 789 Amend Family and Medical Leave Act

This bill would amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and title 5, United States Code, to permit leave to care for a domestic partner, parent-in-law, or adult child, or another related individual, who has a serious health condition, and to allow employees to take, as additional leave, parental involvement and family wellness leave to participate in or attend their children's and grandchildren's educational and extracurricular activities or meet family care needs.

Intro: 2/2/2023 Rep. Hayes (CT-5) Status: Education and Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Thompson (MS-2), Cohen (TN-9)

Republicans: none

 

HR 957 Amend IRS Rules on Retirement Plans

This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the amount excluded from gross income by reason of distributions from governmental retirement plans for health and long-term care insurance for public safety officers.

Intro: 2/9/2023 Rep. Spanberger (VA-7) Status: Ways & Means

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Sponsor Spanberger

Republicans: none

 

S 242 Caring For Families

This bill would amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and title 5, United States Code, to permit leave to care for a domestic partner, parent-in-law, or adult child, or another related individual, who has a serious health condition, and to allow employees to take, as additional leave, parental involvement and family wellness leave to participate in or attend their children’s and grandchildren’s educational and extracurricular activities or meet family care needs.

Intro: 2/2/2023 Sen. Durbin (IL) Status: Health, Education,& Labor

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

HR 1642 Law Enforcement & Firefighter Recreation Pass

This bill would provide for an annual National Recreational Pass for law enforcement officers and firefighters, free of charge.

Intro: 3/28/2023 Rep. McClintock (CA-5) Status: Natural Resources

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Johnson (LA-4)

 

HR 1719 Federal Benefits For Exposure-Related Cancers

This bill would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide public safety officer benefits for exposure-related cancers.

Intro: 3/22/2023 Rep. Pascrell (NJ-9) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

HR 2395 Minimum Salary for Overtime Pay Exemption

This bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to establish a minimum salary threshold for bona fide executive, administrative, and professional employees exempt from Federal overtime compensation requirements, and automatically update such threshold each year.

Intro: 3/29/2023 Rep. Takano (CA-39) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Adams (NC-12)

Republicans: none

 

S 597 Social Security Fairness Act

This bill would amend title II of the Social Security Act to repeal the Government pension offset and windfall elimination provisions.

Intro: 3/1/2023 Sen. Brown (OH) Status: Finance

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Warnock (GA), Kaine (VA)

Republicans: Cassidy (LA), Kennedy (LA)

 

S 645 Fighting PTSD

This bill proposes a program for making treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder available to public safety officers.

Intro: 3/7/2023 Sen. Grassley (IA) Status: PASSED Senate – House Desk

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Ossoff (GA), Warnock (GA)

Republicans: Kennedy (LA), Blackburn (TN)

 

S 738 Tax Deduction Union Dues and Business-Related Expenses

This bill would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow workers an above-the-line deduction for union dues and expenses and to allow a miscellaneous itemized deduction for workers for all unreimbursed expenses incurred in the trade or business of being an employee.

Intro: 3/9/2023 Sen. Casey (PA) Status: Finance

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Warnock (GA)

Republicans: none

 

S 894 Officer Concussion and TBI Health Act

This bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect and disseminate information on concussion and traumatic brain injury among public safety officers.

Intro: 3/21/2023 Sen. Cornyn (TX) Status: Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Boozman (AR)

 

S 930 Federal Benefits for Exposure-Related Cancers

This bill would amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide public safety officer benefits for exposure-related cancers.

Intro: 3/22/2023 Sen. Klobuchar (MN) Status: Judiciary

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

S 1041 Minimum Salary for Overtime Pay Exemption

This bill would amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 to establish a minimum salary threshold for bona fide executive, administrative, and professional employees exempt from Federal overtime compensation requirements, and automatically update such threshold each year.

Intro: 3/29/2023 Sen. Brown (OH) Status: Health, Education, Labor, & Pensions

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

S 1137 Law Enforcement Mental Health & Wellness Program

This bill would establish the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program.

Intro: 3/30/2023 Sen. Peters (MI) Status: Homeland Security

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

HR 2548 TBI and Concussion in Law Enforcement Study

This bill would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to collect and disseminate information on concussion and traumatic brain injury among public safety officers.

Intro: 4/10/2023 Rep. Crenshaw (TX-2) Status: Energy & Commerce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Davis (NC-1)

Republicans: Strong (AL-5)

 

HR 2577 Law Enforcement Wellness and Mental Health Study

This bill would amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to establish the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Program.

Intro: 4/13/2023 Rep. Thompson (MS-2) Status: Homeland Security

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: Sponsor Thompson

Republicans: none

 

HR 2868 Amend ERISA

This bill would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to clarify the treatment of certain association health plans as employers.

Intro: 4/25/2023 Rep. Walberg (MI-5) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: Foxx (NC-5), Good (VA-5), Allen (GA-12)

 

HR 2949 Public Service Loan Forgiveness

This bill would ensure that borrowers who have performed qualifying public service are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Intro: 4/27/2023 Rep. Houlahan (PA-6) Status: Education & Workforce

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

S 1331 Public Service Loan Forgiveness

This bill would ensure that borrowers who have performed qualifying public service are eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Intro: 4/27/2023 Sen. Menendez (NJ) Status: Health, Education, Labor & Pensions

Cosponsors from SSPBA states:

Democrats: none

Republicans: none

 

 

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

698      Regulate Assault Weapons

715      Firearm Background Checks

790      Repeal Firearm Transfer Act

974      Remove Obstacles for Firearm Enforcement

1145    Federal Safe Storage

1258    Protect Gun Owners Rights

1302    Retain Firearm Purchases

1361    Gun Buyback

1478    Firearm License

1508    Travelers Gun Act

1650    Officer Weapon Carry on School Property

1678    Protect Gun Owners

1699    Create Federal Office of “Gun Violence”

2392    Waiting Period to Receive Firearm

2418    Require Report Lost or Stolen Firearm – 48 Hr.

2477    Allow Law Enforcement CCW on School Property

2538    Firearm Liability Insurance Required

2753    Additional Requirements on Firearm Dealers

2870    Prohibit Rifle or Shotgun under 21 year old

2897    Prohibit Firearm from Violent Misdemeanor

           

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

173      Safe Storage Law

214      National Concealed Carry

298      Restrict Large Capacity Magazine

494      Background Check All Firearm Purchases

598      Firearms Records

741      Travelers Gun Act

840      Support 2nd Amendment

951      Create Federal Office of “Gun Violence”

 

 

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

https://www.congress.gov

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