Summary:
Jamiel Shaw, II Memorial Act of 2015

 Prohibits the payment of funds to a state or its political subdivisions under any program or activity administered by the Department of Homeland Security unless such state: (1) compiles statistics on each person arrested, charged, convicted of a crime, or incarcerated by such state, including the immigration status and country of origin of such persons and the crimes for which such persons were arrested, charged, convicted, or incarcerated; (2) reports such statistics monthly to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); and (3) certifies, on a monthly basis, compliance with the requirements of this Act.  Requires each federal agency to compile similar statistics and report on such statistics monthly to the FBI.

Requires the FBI to annually publish all statistics reported under this Act as a separate data collection of its Uniform Crime Reports. Defines "crime" for purposes of this Act.

prohibits payment funds state political subdivisions program activity administered department_of_homeland_security state compiles statistics person arrested charged convicted crime incarcerated state including immigration status country origin persons crimes persons arrested charged convicted incarcerated reports statistics monthly federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi certifies monthly basis compliance requirements act requires federal agency compile similar statistics report statistics monthly fbi requires fbi annually publish statistics reported act separate data collection uniform_crime_reports defines crime purposes act


Summary: Amends the federal judicial code to add a federal defender representative designated by the Judicial Conference of the United States as a nonvoting member of the U.S. Sentencing Commission.

amends federal judicial code add federal defender representative designated judicial_conference_of_the_united_states nonvoting member


Summary:
ATF Elimination Act

 Rescinds the hiring authority of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Requires ATF, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to jointly develop and submit a plan for winding up the affairs of ATF that, without compromising core functions, eliminates and reduces duplicative, unnecessary functions or waste.

Requires the FBI to transmit to the General Services Administration a report that specifies the property to be transferred to the FBI pursuant to this Act that the FBI has determined will not be needed.

Abolishes ATF.

Transfers ATF functions relating to the investigation and enforcement of: (1) criminal and regulatory violations of the federal firearms, explosives, and arson laws, and the investigation of violent crime and domestic terrorism to the Attorney General, who shall delegate them to the FBI; and (2) criminal and regulatory violations of the federal alcohol and tobacco smuggling laws to the Attorney General, who shall delegate them to the DEA.

Transfers: (1) the contracts, liabilities, records, property, and other assets and interests associated with such transferred functions to the Attorney General for appropriate allocation; and (2) personnel employed in connection with the transferred functions to the Attorney General.

atf elimination act rescinds hiring authority explosives atf requires atf federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi drug_enforcement_administration dea jointly develop submit plan winding affairs atf compromising core functions eliminates reduces duplicative unnecessary functions waste requires fbi transmit general_services_administration report specifies property transferred fbi pursuant act fbi determined needed abolishes atf transfers atf functions relating investigation enforcement criminal regulatory violations federal firearms explosives arson laws investigation violent crime domestic terrorism attorney general shall delegate fbi criminal regulatory violations federal alcohol tobacco smuggling laws attorney general shall delegate dea transfers contracts liabilities records property assets interests associated transferred functions attorney general appropriate allocation personnel employed connection transferred functions attorney general


Summary:
Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make it a crime to: (1) transmit to another person the location, movement, or activities of law enforcement agents while intending to further a federal crime relating to U.S. immigration; and (2) destroy, alter, or damage any physical or electronic device used by the federal government to control the border or any port of entry.

 Subjects a violator to fine, up to 10 years' imprisonment, or both.

Prohibits the carrying or use of a firearm in an alien smuggling crime.

amends immigration nationality act crime transmit person location movement activities law enforcement agents intending federal crime relating immigration destroy alter damage physical electronic device federal government control border port entry subjects violator fine years imprisonment prohibits carrying use firearm alien smuggling crime


Summary:
Secret Service Improvements Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to prohibit knowingly causing an autonomous or remotely operated vehicle or dangerous weapon to enter any restricted building or grounds so that it impedes or disrupts the orderly conduct of government business or official functions.

The punishment for such offense is a fine, imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, if during and in relation to the offense a deadly or dangerous weapon or firearm enters the restricted building or grounds.

The term "restricted buildings or grounds" is revised to include: (1) any restricted area of a building or grounds that the President or other person protected by the Secret Service has designated as a non-governmental property in accordance with the Presidential Protection Assistance Act of 1976, and (2) the airspace above any such restricted area.

(Sec. 3) The bill applies provisions prohibiting threats against former Presidents and others to threats against former Vice Presidents, their spouses, and their minor children.

(Sec. 4) The Secret Service shall increase the annual number of training hours for Secret Service officers and agents. The increased training must include the recommendations for training described in the United States Secret Service Protective Mission Panel Report, released on December 15, 2014.

(Sec. 5) The Secret Service is authorized to: (1) construct facilities at the Rowley Training Center necessary to improve the training of officers of the U.S. Secret Service Uniformed Division and agents of the Secret Service, and (2) hire the number of officers for the Uniformed Division and agents for the Presidential Protective Detail necessary to satisfy the staffing recommendations made by such report.

(Sec. 7) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall devise and adopt improved procedures for identifying, evaluating, and addressing vulnerabilities in the security of the White House and threats to persons protected by the Secret Service, including threats posed by unmanned aerial systems or explosive devices.

(Sec. 8) The Secret Service shall devise and adopt improved procedures for: (1) evaluating ways in which technology may be used to improve the security of the White House and the response to threats to persons protected by the Secret Service, and (2) retaining evidence pertaining to such ways for an appropriate period.

(Sec. 9) The Secret Service: (1) shall evaluate the practicability of equipping agents and officers with additional non-lethal weapons, and (2) may evaluate the practicability of equipping agents and officers with weapons beyond those currently provided.

(Sec. 10) Provisions of the Presidential Protection Assistance Act of 1976 requiring specified congressional committee approval of expenditures above a specified amount by the Secret Service for securing any non-governmental property in addition to the one non-governmental property designated by each protectee are replaced with provisions requiring specified congressional committee notification of any such expenditures.

(Sec. 11) The bill requires the establishment of an Ethics Program Office in the Office of the Chief Counsel of the Secret Service to ensure compliance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.

(Sec. 12) The Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress with a review of this bill's implementation and an evaluation of the Secret Service's progress in implementing recommendations outlined in the panel report.

secret service improvements act sec bill amends federal criminal code prohibit knowingly causing autonomous remotely operated vehicle dangerous weapon enter restricted building grounds impedes disrupts orderly conduct government business official functions punishment offense fine imprisonment years relation offense deadly dangerous weapon firearm enters restricted building grounds term restricted buildings grounds revised include restricted area building grounds president person protected secret_service designated non governmental property accordance airspace restricted area sec bill applies provisions prohibiting threats presidents threats vice presidents spouses minor children sec secret_service shall increase annual number training hours secret service officers agents increased training include recommendations training described united_states_secret_service protective mission panel report released december sec secret_service authorized construct facilities training center necessary improve training officers agents secret_service hire number officers agents presidential protective detail necessary satisfy staffing recommendations report sec department_of_homeland_security dhs shall devise adopt improved procedures identifying evaluating addressing vulnerabilities security white_house threats persons protected secret_service including threats posed unmanned aerial systems explosive devices sec secret_service shall devise adopt improved procedures evaluating ways technology improve security white_house response threats persons protected secret_service retaining evidence pertaining ways appropriate period sec secret_service shall evaluate practicability equipping agents officers additional non lethal weapons evaluate practicability equipping agents officers weapons currently provided sec provisions requiring specified congressional committee approval expenditures specified secret_service securing non governmental property addition non governmental property designated replaced provisions requiring specified congressional committee notification expenditures sec bill requires establishment secret_service ensure compliance ethics_in_government_act sec government_accountability_office shall report congress review bill implementation evaluation secret_service progress implementing recommendations outlined panel report


Summary:
FPS Improvement Act of 2015

 Assigns responsibility to the Federal Protective Service (FPS) for the protection of federal buildings, grounds, and property and persons on the property. Authorizes FPS to: (1) designate Department of Homeland Security employees with enhanced law enforcement powers for duty in connection with the protection of federal property and persons on the property, (2) authorize protective service officers for the protection of federal buildings and grounds, and (3) assess security charges to owners or tenants of a federal facility protected by FPS that is not in compliance with federal security standards. Requires tenants at federal facilities to maintain a Facility Security Committee.

Establishes the Interagency Security Committee to develop safety and security standards and best practices to mitigate the effects of natural and manmade hazards in federal facilities.

Requires reports on: (1) FPS personnel needs, (2) the feasibility of federalizing the protective service officer workforce, (3) a method for funding FPS, and (4) methods to detect or prevent explosives from entering federal facilities.

improvement act assigns responsibility federal_protective_service protection federal buildings grounds property persons property authorizes designate department_of_homeland_security employees enhanced law enforcement powers duty connection protection federal property persons property authorize protective service officers protection federal buildings grounds assess security charges owners tenants federal facility protected compliance federal security standards requires tenants federal facilities maintain establishes interagency security committee develop safety security standards best practices mitigate effects natural manmade hazards federal facilities requires reports personnel needs feasibility protective service officer workforce method funding methods detect prevent explosives entering federal facilities


Summary:
Customs Training Enhancement Act

 Directs the Commissioner of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to establish educational seminars at U.S. ports of entry to improve the ability of CBP personnel to classify and appraise articles imported into the United States in accordance with U.S. customs laws, including their ability to identify and prevent the mislabeling and transshipment of such articles.

customs training enhancement act directs commissioner cbp establish educational seminars ports entry improve ability cbp personnel classify appraise articles imported united_states accordance customs laws including ability identify prevent mislabeling transshipment articles


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

This bill amends the Border Patrol Agent Pay Reform Act of 2014 to establish a general effective date for the pay provisions of such Act as the first day of the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2016, except that the provision in such Act relating to administering elections and making advance assignments to a regular tour of duty shall be applicable before such effective date to the extent deemed necessary by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM is authorized to issue regulations as necessary prior to such effective date.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated bill amends establish general effective date pay provisions act day pay period beginning january provision act relating administering elections making advance assignments regular tour duty shall applicable effective date extent deemed necessary opm authorized issue regulations necessary prior effective date


Summary:
Commercial Remote Sensing Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Department of Commerce to report annually to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on: (1) the implementation of its authority to license private entities to operate private remote sensing space systems; (2) all notifications and information provided to Commerce by licensees; and (3) all administrative actions taken to adjust penalties for violations of licensing requirements, issue subpoenas, and seize by warrant material necessary to investigate violations of licensing requirements.

(Sec. 3) Commerce must also report to such Committees on statutory updates necessary to protect national security, privacy (which is not to be taken as altering any condition or standards for licensing), and the U.S. industrial base, and to reflect the current state of the art of remote sensing systems, instruments, or technologies.

commercial remote sensing act sec bill directs department_of_commerce report annually technology senate_committee_on_commerce science transportation implementation authority license private entities operate private remote sensing space systems notifications information provided commerce licensees administrative actions taken adjust penalties violations licensing requirements issue subpoenas seize warrant material necessary investigate violations licensing requirements sec commerce report committees statutory updates necessary protect national security privacy taken altering condition standards licensing industrial base reflect current state art remote sensing systems instruments technologies


Summary:
Protecting Communities and Police Act of 2015

This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to jointly appoint a task force to determine the appropriateness of the use of certain military equipment by state and local law enforcement agencies.

The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require FEMA, in consultation with the task force established by this Act, to: (1) assess the appropriateness of items on FEMA's Authorized Equipment List for use by law enforcement agencies in counterterrorism activities, (2) designate items on the List that may be purchased by law enforcement agencies, (3) review the List every five years, and (4) publish the List on the website of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and in the Federal Register.

 The bill defines certain items on the List as either prohibited or restricted items that a local law enforcement agency cannot purchase or use without FEMA authorization or the approval of the law enforcement agency's governing body. The law enforcement agency must submit a needs justification statement with any request for the purchase of a restricted item. The bill also sets forth training and certification requirements for local law enforcement agencies on the use of restricted items.

The bill limits law enforcement agencies with fewer than 10 full-time law enforcement officers to one tactical military vehicle unless the agency has in place a joint-use agreement with another agency and serves as the procuring agency under the agreement. Similarly, small Special Weapons and Tactics teams (SWAT teams) consisting of fewer than 17 sworn law enforcement officers (35 if more than one law enforcement agency is involved) cannot purchase restricted items.

Law enforcement agencies that are under DOJ consent decrees for civil rights abuses or excessive use of force are prohibited from buying restricted items.

The bill establishes priorities for transfers of Department of Defense military equipment to other federal agencies ahead of state and local law enforcement agencies. If equipment is transferred to a state or local law enforcement agency for use by a SWAT team, the agency must certify the public availability of SWAT team training records and video recordings of each SWAT team deployment using such equipment.

The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to limit the use of grant funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for the purchase of military equipment by state and local law enforcement agencies. The bill requires DOJ to create and make publicly available: (1) a list of prohibited items that may not be purchased by a law enforcement agency using Byrne grant funds unless necessary to prevent a threat to national security, and (2) a list of special justice items that are suitable for certain uses by law enforcement agencies.

This bill requires: (1) law enforcement agencies that purchase equipment for SWAT teams to publish training records for such teams; (2) states to establish whistle blower protections and public complaint hot lines for reporting misuse of any military equipment purchased with Byrne grant funds; and (3) grant funds to be allocated for the purchase of body cameras, dashboard cameras, gun cameras, and related costs.

DOJ must: (1) collect and analyze data on the use of SWAT teams by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies; and (2) publish and report on such data.

The bill also amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require DHS, through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, to conduct programs to certify instructors to conduct training courses on law enforcement tactics for state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

police act bill directs federal_emergency_management_agency fema defense_logistics_agency department_of_justice doj jointly appoint task force determine appropriateness use certain military equipment state local law enforcement agencies bill amends homeland security act require fema consultation task force established act assess appropriateness items fema use law enforcement agencies counterterrorism activities designate items list purchased law enforcement agencies review list years publish list website department_of_homeland_security dhs federal_register bill defines certain items list prohibited restricted items local law enforcement agency purchase use fema authorization approval law enforcement agency governing body law enforcement agency submit needs justification statement request purchase restricted item bill sets forth training certification requirements local law enforcement agencies use restricted items bill limits law enforcement agencies fewer time law enforcement officers tactical military vehicle agency place joint use agreement agency serves procuring agency agreement similarly small special weapons tactics teams teams consisting fewer sworn law enforcement officers law enforcement agency involved purchase restricted items law enforcement agencies doj consent decrees civil rights abuses excessive use force prohibited buying restricted items bill establishes priorities transfers department_of_defense military equipment federal agencies ahead state local law enforcement agencies equipment transferred state local law enforcement agency use team agency certify public availability team training records video recordings team deployment equipment bill amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act limit use grant funds edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program purchase military equipment state local law enforcement agencies bill requires doj create publicly available list prohibited items purchased law enforcement agency byrne grant funds necessary prevent threat national security list special justice items suitable certain uses law enforcement agencies bill requires law enforcement agencies purchase equipment teams publish training records teams states establish whistle blower protections public complaint hot lines reporting misuse military equipment purchased byrne grant funds grant funds allocated purchase body cameras dashboard cameras gun cameras related costs doj collect analyze data use teams federal state local tribal law enforcement agencies publish report data bill amends homeland security act require dhs federal_law_enforcement_training_center conduct programs certify instructors conduct training courses law enforcement tactics state local tribal law enforcement agencies


Summary:
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument Correction Act

 Prohibits construing either the national monument designation or any management plan in furtherance of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, New Mexico (designated on May 21, 2014) as:

 preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from undertaking law enforcement and border security activities within the areas designated as the Monument, including the ability to use motorized vehicles within it; limiting the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding among DHS, the Department of the Interior, and the Department of Agriculture regarding cooperative national security and counterterrorism efforts on federal land along U.S. borders; preventing DHS from conducting low-level overflights over the Monument for law enforcement and border security purposes; or preventing Interior from allowing within the Monument the installation and maintenance of communication or surveillance infrastructure necessary for law enforcement or border security activities. Makes the route excluded from the Potrillo Mountains, identified as "Restricted--Administrative Access" on the map entitled "Potrillo Mountains Complex," dated December 10, 2013, available for administrative and law enforcement uses, including border security activities.

national monument correction act prohibits construing national monument designation management plan furtherance new mexico designated preventing department_of_homeland_security dhs undertaking law enforcement border security activities areas designated monument including ability use motorized vehicles limiting memorandum understanding dhs department_of_the_interior department_of_agriculture cooperative national security counterterrorism efforts federal land borders preventing dhs conducting low level overflights monument law enforcement border security purposes preventing interior allowing monument installation maintenance communication surveillance infrastructure necessary law enforcement border security activities makes route excluded identified restricted administrative access map entitled mountains complex dated december available administrative law enforcement uses including border security activities


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

State Licensing Efficiency Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 to direct the Attorney General to provide appropriate state officials responsible for regulating financial service providers (in addition to state officials responsible for regulating state-licensed loan originators) with access to criminal history information to the extent that criminal history background checks are required under state law for the licensing of such parties.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure state licensing efficiency act sec amends mortgage licensing act direct attorney general provide appropriate state officials responsible regulating financial service providers addition state officials responsible regulating state licensed loan originators access criminal history information extent criminal history background checks required state law licensing parties


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 28, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Border Jobs for Veterans Act of 2015

(Sec. 3) Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to consider the expedited hiring of qualified candidates who have the ability to perform the essential functions of the position of a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer and who are eligible for a veterans recruitment appointment.

(Sec. 4) Requires DHS to enhance DHS efforts to recruit members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service to serve as CBP officers. Requires such enhanced recruiting efforts to:

 include CBP officer opportunities in relevant job assistance efforts under the Transition Assistance Program; place CBP officials or other relevant DHS officials at recruiting events and jobs fairs involving separating members of the Armed Forces; provide opportunities for local CBP field offices to partner with military bases in the region; include outreach efforts to educate members of the Armed Forces with qualifications that are transferable to CBP officer requirements; identify shared activities and opportunities for reciprocity related to steps in hiring CBP officers with the goal of minimizing the time required to hire qualified applicants; ensure the streamlined interagency transfer of relevant background investigations and security clearances; and include other elements to ensure that separating members of the Armed Forces are aware of opportunities to fill vacant CBP officer positions. (Sec. 5) Directs DHS to report to Congress on DHS efforts to hire members of the Armed Forces who are separating from military service as CBP officers.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated border jobs veterans act sec directs department_of_homeland_security dhs consider expedited hiring qualified candidates ability perform essential functions position customs border protection cbp officer eligible veterans recruitment appointment sec requires dhs enhance dhs efforts recruit members armed_forces separating military service serve cbp officers requires enhanced recruiting efforts include cbp officer opportunities relevant job assistance efforts transition assistance program place cbp officials relevant dhs officials recruiting events jobs fairs involving separating members armed_forces provide opportunities local cbp field offices partner military bases region include outreach efforts educate members armed_forces qualifications transferable cbp officer requirements identify shared activities opportunities reciprocity related steps hiring cbp officers goal minimizing time required hire qualified applicants ensure streamlined interagency transfer relevant background investigations security clearances include elements ensure separating members armed_forces aware opportunities fill vacant cbp officer positions sec directs dhs report congress dhs efforts hire members armed_forces separating military service cbp officers


Summary:
Law Enforcement Trust and Integrity Act of 2015

This bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to analyze existing law enforcement accreditation standards, recommend additional areas for the development of national standards, recommend the adoption of additional standards, and adopt policies and procedures to encourage accreditation of law enforcement agencies. It authorizes DOJ to make grants to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to obtain accreditation from certified organizations.

The legislation authorizes DOJ to make grants to state, local, or tribal governments, public and private entities, or consortia to study law enforcement agency management and operations standards and to develop pilot programs to address law enforcement misconduct.

DOJ must study the prevalence and effect of any law, rule, or procedure that allows a law enforcement officer to delay the investigation and prosecution of law enforcement misconduct.

The legislation establishes the Task Force on Law Enforcement Oversight within DOJ to coordinate the detection and referral of complaints of alleged law enforcement misconduct.

Law enforcement agencies must report data regarding practices on traffic violation stops, pedestrian stops, frisk and body searches, and use of deadly force. Data must include the number of incidents of each practice broken down by race, ethnicity, age, and gender of the officers, employees, and members of the public involved in the practice.

DOJ must create a medallion for distribution to survivors of each law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty and memorialized on the wall of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

integrity act bill requires department_of_justice doj analyze existing law enforcement accreditation standards recommend additional areas development national standards recommend adoption additional standards adopt policies procedures encourage accreditation law enforcement agencies authorizes doj grants federal state local tribal law enforcement agencies obtain accreditation certified organizations legislation authorizes doj grants state local tribal governments public private entities consortia study law enforcement agency management operations standards develop pilot programs address law enforcement misconduct doj study prevalence effect law rule procedure allows law enforcement officer delay investigation prosecution law enforcement misconduct legislation establishes task force law enforcement oversight doj coordinate detection referral complaints alleged law enforcement misconduct law enforcement agencies report data practices traffic violation stops pedestrian stops body searches use deadly force data include number incidents practice broken race ethnicity age gender officers employees members public involved practice doj create medallion distribution survivors law enforcement officer killed line duty wall


Summary:
Right to Counsel and Taxpayer Protection Act

This bill amends the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 to make the provision that prohibits law enforcement agencies from engaging in patterns or practices of conduct that violate constitutional rights related to the administration of juvenile justice applicable to adults as well as juveniles.

right counsel taxpayer protection act bill amends violent_crime_control_and_law_enforcement_act provision prohibits law enforcement agencies engaging patterns practices conduct violate constitutional rights related administration juvenile justice applicable adults juveniles


Summary:
Confidential Informant Accountability Act of 2015

 Directs the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, and Treasury to report biannually to Congress on: (1) all serious crimes, authorized and unauthorized, committed by informants maintained by their respective law enforcement agencies (i.e., the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives); and (2) the amounts expended by each of such agencies on payments to such informants.

Defines a "serious crime" as any serious violent felony or drug offense or any offense of racketeering, bribery, child pornography, obstruction of justice, or perjury that an agent or employee of the relevant law enforcement agency has reasonable grounds to believe an informant has committed.

directs departments justice homeland_security treasury report biannually congress crimes authorized unauthorized committed maintained respective law enforcement agencies federal_bureau_of_investigation drug_enforcement_administration amounts expended agencies payments defines crime violent felony drug offense offense racketeering bribery child pornography obstruction justice perjury agent employee relevant law enforcement agency reasonable grounds believe informant committed


Summary:
Ensuring Congressional Oversight of Immigration Act

This bill terminates the authority exercised by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) two years after enactment of this Act, unless extended by legislation.

No funds, fees, or resources available to USCIS may be used to implement specified immigration-related memoranda from the President, DHS, USCIS, or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

ensuring congressional oversight immigration act bill terminates authority exercised department_of_homeland_security dhs uscis years enactment act extended legislation funds fees resources available uscis implement specified immigration related memoranda president dhs uscis


Summary:
Border Enforcement Accountability, Oversight, and Community Engagement Act of 2015

Establishes: (1) the Department of Homeland Security Border Oversight Commission, and (2) a northern border subcommittee and a southern border subcommittee within the Commission.

Requires the Commission and the subcommittees to: (1) recommend border enforcement policy improvements; (2) evaluate policies of federal agencies operating along the borders to protect due process and human rights of border residents and visitors, protect land owner private property rights, and reduce the number of migrant deaths; (3) recommend safety improvements for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel; and (4) evaluate training and the extent to which CBP supervisory and management personnel practices encourage workforce development and promote field safety.

Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to rename the position of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as the Ombudsman for Border and Immigration Related Concerns. Revises related function and administrative provisions, including requiring the Ombudsman to establish a Border Community Liaison Office in each Border Patrol sector on the northern and southern borders.

Sets forth specified training and continuing education requirements for CBP personnel.

Directs DHS to submit to Congress an assessment of current guidelines for managing ports of entry under DHS control.

 Directs: (1) CBP to report to Congress regarding deaths occurring along the U.S.-Mexico border, and (2) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review such report.

Directs: (1) GAO to examine the extent to which CBP has clarified use of force policies, and (2) DHS to require CBP to implement any recommendations contained in such examination.

oversight community engagement act establishes security border oversight commission northern border subcommittee southern border subcommittee commission requires commission subcommittees recommend border enforcement policy improvements evaluate policies federal agencies operating borders protect process human rights border residents visitors protect land owner private property rights reduce number migrant deaths recommend safety improvements cbp personnel evaluate training extent cbp supervisory management personnel practices encourage workforce development promote field safety amends homeland security act rename position department_of_homeland_security dhs ombudsman border immigration related concerns revises related function administrative provisions including requiring ombudsman establish border patrol sector northern southern borders sets forth specified training continuing education requirements cbp personnel directs dhs submit congress assessment current guidelines managing ports entry dhs control directs cbp report congress deaths occurring border government_accountability_office gao review report directs gao examine extent cbp use force policies dhs require cbp implement recommendations contained examination


Summary:
This bill provides $135 million in FY2016 emergency appropriations for the construction of a new courthouse for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The bill designates the funds as an emergency requirement, which exempts the funds from limits on discretionary spending and other budget enforcement rules.

The construction of the courthouse must include a real property exchange between the city of San Antonio, Texas, and the General Services Administration (GSA) involving: (1) federally owned land including the Wood Courthouse and Spears Judicial Training Center, and (2) city-owned land commonly known as the San Antonio Police Headquarters Site.

Within six months of enactment of this bill, the GSA must provide a progress report to Congress.

bill provides million fy2016 emergency appropriations construction new courthouse western_district texas bill designates funds emergency requirement exempts funds limits discretionary spending budget enforcement rules construction courthouse include real property exchange city san_antonio texas general_services_administration gsa involving federally owned land including city owned land commonly known months enactment bill gsa provide progress report congress


Summary:
Help Ensure Legal Detainers Act or the HELD Act

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds by a state or local subdivision that has in effect a law, policy or procedure that prevents or impedes: (1) a timely response to a request by the Department of Homeland Security for information about an alien in custody, including the alien's estimated release date; or (2) compliance with a detainer request.

help ensure legal detainers act held act bill prohibits use federal funds state local subdivision effect law policy procedure prevents impedes timely response request department_of_homeland_security information alien custody including alien estimated release date compliance detainer request


Summary:
Protecting Individuals From Mass Aerial Surveillance Act of 2015

This bill prohibits a federal entity from using unmanned aircraft or other mobile aerial-view devices (MAVDs) to: (1) surveil property, persons, or their effects; or (2) gather evidence pertaining to known or suspected criminal conduct, or conduct that violates a law or regulation.

Exceptions allow MAVDs to be used by federal entities to:

 surveil national borders or national waters to prevent or deter illegal entry of persons or illegal substances; prevent imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm to a specific individual, counter an imminent risk of a terrorist attack by a specific individual or organization, prevent imminent destruction of evidence, or counter an imminent or actual escape of a criminal or terrorist suspect; monitor or research environmental, geologic, or weather-related damage and events, including forest fires, erosion, floods, wildlife, habitats, or illegal vegetation on public lands; or acquire information about an individual who consents to the use of an MAVD. Law enforcement officials or agencies may use an MAVD to surveil specific property, persons, or their effects pursuant to a search and seizure warrant.

The bill: (1) prohibits a federal entity actor from making an intentional effort to identify an individual from, or associate an individual with, the information collected under certain exceptions to the prohibition on the use of MAVDs; and (2) bars disclosure of collected information except to another federal entity or state, tribal, or local government agency that agrees to be bound by the restrictions in this Act. Such identification and disclosure restrictions shall not apply if there is probable cause that the information collected is evidence of specific criminal activity and a warrant is obtained.

Federal entities are prohibited from: (1) soliciting or awarding contracts to surveil by MAVD for a federal entity, unless the federal entity has existing authority for such surveillance; or (2) purchasing information obtained from MAVD surveillance by a nonfederal entity if such information contains personal information, except with the consent of the affected persons.

This Act shall not be construed to preempt any state law regarding the use of MAVDs exclusively within the borders of that state.

Civil rights and liberties, minority issues

protecting individuals mass aerial surveillance act bill prohibits federal entity unmanned aircraft mobile aerial view devices property persons effects gather evidence pertaining known suspected criminal conduct conduct violates law regulation exceptions allow federal entities national borders national waters prevent deter illegal entry persons illegal substances prevent imminent danger death bodily harm specific individual counter imminent risk terrorist attack specific individual organization prevent imminent destruction evidence counter imminent actual escape criminal terrorist suspect monitor research environmental geologic weather related damage events including forest fires erosion floods wildlife habitats illegal vegetation public lands acquire information individual consents use law enforcement officials agencies use specific property persons effects pursuant search seizure warrant bill prohibits federal entity actor making intentional effort identify individual associate individual information collected certain exceptions prohibition use bars disclosure collected information federal entity state tribal local government agency agrees bound restrictions act identification disclosure restrictions shall apply probable cause information collected evidence specific criminal activity warrant obtained federal entities prohibited soliciting awarding contracts federal entity federal entity existing authority surveillance purchasing information obtained surveillance nonfederal entity information contains personal information consent affected persons act shall construed preempt state law use exclusively borders state


Summary:
Secure Fence Restoration Act of 2015

This bill amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 with respect to construction of border fencing and road improvements to direct the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to complete the required 700-mile southwest border fencing and priority-area fencing by December 31, 2017.

The Secure Fence Act of 2006 is amended to direct DHS, in consultation with state and local officials along the U.S.-Mexico border, to achieve operational control over U.S. international land and maritime borders by December 31, 2017.

National Security and Federal Lands Protection Act

Neither the Department of the Interior nor the Department of Agriculture may prohibit or restrict U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities on federal land under their respective jurisdictions within 100 miles of an international land border to:

 execute search and rescue operations; and prevent unlawful entries into the United States, including entries by terrorists, other unlawful aliens, instruments of terrorism, narcotics, and other contraband through such border. CBP shall have access to such lands to conduct: (1) road and barrier construction and maintenance, (2) vehicular patrols, (3) surveillance activities, and (4) deployment of temporary tactical infrastructure.

restoration act bill amends illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act respect construction border fencing road improvements direct department_of_homeland_security dhs complete required mile southwest border fencing priority area fencing december secure fence act amended direct dhs consultation state local officials border achieve operational control international land maritime borders december act department_of_the_interior department_of_agriculture prohibit restrict cbp activities federal land respective jurisdictions miles international land border execute search rescue operations prevent unlawful entries united_states including entries terrorists unlawful aliens instruments terrorism narcotics contraband border cbp shall access lands conduct road barrier construction maintenance vehicular patrols surveillance activities deployment temporary tactical infrastructure


Summary:
Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2015

 This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award competitive matching grants to state, local, and tribal governments to establish or maintain witness protection programs in cases related to: (1) a homicide, serious violent felony, or serious drug offense; or (2) gangs or organized crime.

DOJ must evaluate grant applications based on certain criteria, including the prevalence of witness intimidation, the presence of organized crime, and the per capita number of homicides, violent felonies, or serious drug offenses.

 The bill also requires DOJ to: (1) consider urban and rural applicants and ensure equitable geographic distribution of grant awards; and (2) develop and disseminate best practice models to help state, local, and tribal governments address witness protection and assistance issues.

witness security protection grant program act bill directs department_of_justice doj award competitive matching grants state local tribal governments establish maintain witness protection programs cases related homicide violent felony drug offense gangs organized crime doj evaluate grant applications based certain criteria including prevalence witness intimidation presence organized crime capita number violent felonies drug offenses bill requires doj consider urban rural applicants ensure equitable geographic distribution grant awards develop disseminate best practice models help state local tribal governments address witness protection assistance issues


Summary:
End of Debtor's Prison Act of 2016

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to prohibit the Department of Justice from allocating Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program funding to a state or local government that has a contract with a person (e.g., a private probation company) who: (1) collects unpaid debt (i.e., state- or court-imposed fines or fees) from an individual placed on probation for failing to pay such debt; and (2) charges separate fees (e.g., monthly fees) to the probationer with respect to the collection.

end debtor prison act bill amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act prohibit department_of_justice allocating edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program funding state local government contract person private probation company collects unpaid debt state- court imposed fines fees individual placed probation failing pay debt charges separate fees monthly fees respect collection


Summary:
This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reimburse state and local law enforcement agencies for costs associated with the armed occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon.

DOJ may file a civil action against an armed occupation participant to recover reimbursement costs.

bill directs department_of_justice doj reimburse state local law enforcement agencies costs associated armed occupation oregon doj file civil action armed occupation participant recover reimbursement costs


Summary:
Southwest Border Security Threat Assessment Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit a southwest border threat analysis that includes an assessment of:

 terrorism and criminal threats posed by individuals and organized groups seeking to unlawfully enter the United States through the southwest border or seeking to exploit security vulnerabilities along such border; improvements needed at and between ports of entry to prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States; gaps in law, policy, and coordination that hinder effective and efficient border security, counterterrorism, anti-human smuggling and trafficking efforts; the flow of legitimate trade along the southwest border; the current percentage of situational awareness and of operational control achieved by DHS along the southwest border; the impact of trusted traveler programs on border wait times and border security; and traveler crossing times and any potential security vulnerability associated with prolonged wait times. As part of such analysis, the Secretary shall consider and examine:

 technology, personnel, and infrastructure needs and challenges; the roles and authorities of law enforcement; the status of coordination among law enforcement entities; the terrain, population density, and climate along the southwest border; and international agreements between the United States and Mexico. (Sec. 3) The bill requires the Chief of the Border Patrol, within 180 days after submission of the threat analysis and every five years thereafter, to issue a Border Patrol Strategic Plan that includes consideration of:

 the southwest border threat analysis; efforts to analyze and disseminate border security and border threat information between DHS components and with other federal agencies with missions associated with the border; efforts to increase situational awareness, to detect and prevent terrorists and instruments of terrorism from entering the United States, and to detect, interdict, and disrupt aliens and illicit drugs at the earliest possible point upon entry into the United States; efforts to focus intelligence collection to disrupt transnational criminal organizations outside of U.S. borders; efforts to ensure that any new border security technology can be operationally integrated with existing DHS technologies; technology required to maintain, support, and enhance security and facilitate trade at ports of entry; operational coordination unity of effort initiatives of DHS border security components; lessons learned from Operation Jumpstart and Operation Phalanx; cooperative agreements and information sharing with agencies that have jurisdiction on the borders; border security information received from consultation with such agencies and from border community stakeholders; staffing requirements; a prioritized list of departmental research and development objectives; an assessment of training programs for detecting fraudulent documents, understanding the scope of enforcement authorities and the use of force policies, and screening, identifying, and addressing vulnerable populations; and an assessment of how border security operations affect crossing times.

assessment act sec bill directs secretary homeland_security dhs submit southwest border threat analysis includes assessment terrorism criminal threats posed individuals organized groups seeking unlawfully enter united_states southwest border seeking security vulnerabilities border improvements needed ports entry prevent terrorists instruments terror entering united_states gaps law policy coordination hinder effective efficient border security counterterrorism anti human smuggling trafficking efforts flow legitimate trade southwest border current percentage situational awareness operational control achieved dhs southwest border impact trusted traveler programs border wait times border security traveler crossing times potential security vulnerability associated prolonged wait times analysis secretary shall consider examine technology personnel infrastructure needs challenges roles authorities law enforcement status coordination law enforcement entities terrain population density climate southwest border international agreements united_states mexico sec bill requires chief border_patrol days submission threat analysis years issue border patrol strategic plan includes consideration southwest border threat analysis efforts analyze disseminate border security border threat information dhs components federal agencies missions associated border efforts increase situational awareness detect prevent terrorists instruments terrorism entering united_states detect interdict disrupt aliens illicit drugs earliest possible point entry united_states efforts focus intelligence collection disrupt transnational criminal organizations outside borders efforts ensure new border security technology operationally integrated existing dhs technologies technology required maintain support enhance security facilitate trade ports entry operational coordination unity effort initiatives dhs border security components lessons learned operation jumpstart cooperative agreements information sharing agencies jurisdiction borders border security information received consultation agencies border community stakeholders staffing requirements prioritized list departmental research development objectives assessment training programs detecting fraudulent documents understanding scope enforcement authorities use force policies screening identifying addressing vulnerable populations assessment border security operations affect crossing times


Summary:
Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to allow the United States to prosecute certain U.S. employees who engage in conduct in Canada that would constitute a federal criminal offense if the conduct had occurred in the United States. This bill applies to employees, contractors, and grantees of a U.S. department or agency other than the Department of Defense who are stationed in Canada pursuant to a border security initiative.

commerce bill amends federal criminal code allow united_states prosecute certain employees engage conduct canada constitute federal criminal offense conduct occurred united_states bill applies employees contractors grantees department agency department_of_defense stationed canada pursuant border security initiative


Summary:
Stop Swatting in Our Schools Act of 2016

This bill directs the Federal Bureau of Investigation to create a task force to combat swatting.

It defines swatting as an activity that uses the mail, telephone, or another instrument of interstate or foreign commerce to willfully make a threat or maliciously and knowingly convey false information with the intent to trigger an emergency law enforcement response.

stop schools act bill directs federal_bureau_of_investigation create task force combat defines activity uses mail telephone instrument interstate foreign commerce willfully threat knowingly convey false information intent trigger emergency law enforcement response


Summary:
DUI Reporting Act of 2016

This bill requires a state or local government that receives funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program to enact a law or policy to ensure that law enforcement agencies report arrests involving driving under the influence to the National Crime Information Center. The Department of Justice (DOJ) must reduce by up to 20% the JAG allocation of a state or local government that fails to comply.

bill requires state local government receives funding edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant jag program enact law policy ensure law enforcement agencies report arrests involving driving influence national_crime_information_center department_of_justice doj reduce jag allocation state local government fails comply


Summary:
Counterterrorism Enhancement Act of 2016

This bill authorizes additional FY2017 appropriations to the Department of Justice for:

 the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), for personnel, training, and equipment to counter terrorism; the Bureau of Justice Programs, for a Violence Against Law Enforcement Officer Resilience and Survivability (i.e., VALOR) initiative; the Civil Rights Division; and the Community Relations Service. Additionally, this bill amends the federal criminal code to revise the prohibition on transferring a firearm knowing that the firearm will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime. Specifically, it broadens the scope of the prohibition to bar the transfer or receipt of a firearm knowing or reasonably believing that the firearm will be used to commit a crime of violence, a drug trafficking crime, or a federal crime of terrorism. It increases from 10 to 15 years the maximum prison term for a violator.

counterterrorism enhancement act bill authorizes additional fy2017 appropriations department_of_justice federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi personnel training equipment counter terrorism violence law enforcement officer resilience survivability valor initiative additionally bill amends federal criminal code revise prohibition transferring firearm knowing firearm commit crime violence drug trafficking crime specifically broadens scope prohibition bar transfer receipt firearm knowing reasonably believing firearm commit crime violence drug trafficking crime federal crime terrorism increases years maximum prison term violator


Summary:
Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2016

 This bill establishes a National Forensic Science Research Initiative to improve, expand, and coordinate federal research in forensic sciences.

The bill establishes a National Forensic Science Coordinating Office to coordinate with relevant federal agencies in the development of: (1) a unified federal research strategy; and (2) any necessary programs, policies, and budgets to support implementation of the research strategy.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) shall contract with the National Research Council to develop a report: (1) identifying the most critical challenges in forensic science that require further research, and (2) making recommendations for research to address those challenges.

The bill states that all external forensic science research grants awarded by federal agencies under this bill shall be subject to a competitive, merit-review process.

 The NSF shall:

 award forensic science basic research grants to improve the foundation and practice of forensic science; establish one or more multidisciplinary forensic research centers led by public-private partnerships between universities, industry, state or local entities, and federal agencies; and conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the NSF's full portfolio of forensic science research and education grants every four years. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shall establish: (1) a competitively selected Center of Excellence focusing on measurement sciences, technology, and standards in forensic science; and (2) scientific area committees to identify gaps in and opportunities for standards development in the forensic sciences.

 NIST and the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall establish a National Commission on Forensic Science to advise the agencies participating in the unified federal research strategy and review recommendations on standards development in forensic science.

DOJ shall:

 encourage the broad adoption of forensic science standards, requiring each DOJ laboratory, and encouraging other federal forensic laboratories, to adopt these standards; promote accreditation and certification based on forensic science standards; and promote recommendations made by the National Commission on Forensic Science.

forensic science bill establishes improve expand coordinate federal research forensic sciences bill establishes coordinate relevant federal agencies development unified federal research strategy necessary programs policies budgets support implementation research strategy national_science_foundation nsf shall contract national_research_council develop report identifying critical challenges forensic science require research making recommendations research address challenges bill states external forensic science research grants awarded federal agencies bill shall subject competitive merit review process nsf shall award forensic science basic research grants improve foundation practice forensic science establish multidisciplinary forensic research centers led public private partnerships universities industry state local entities federal agencies conduct comprehensive evaluation nsf portfolio forensic science research education grants years national_institute_of_standards_and_technology nist shall establish competitively selected center_of_excellence focusing measurement sciences technology standards forensic science scientific area committees identify gaps opportunities standards development forensic sciences nist department_of_justice doj shall establish advise agencies participating unified federal research strategy review recommendations standards development forensic science doj shall encourage broad adoption forensic science standards requiring doj laboratory encouraging federal forensic laboratories adopt standards promote accreditation certification based forensic science standards promote recommendations


Summary:
Protect Our Southwestern States Enforcement Act or the POSSE Act

This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to: (1) ensure that specified Border Patrol sectors in Texas, California, and Arizona are fully staffed, including by hiring additional CBP and Border Patrol personnel as needed; and (2) maintain the number of Border Patrol stations in each such sector at current levels.

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 is amended to direct the Department of Homeland Security to construct double-layered fencing along the entire southwest border by December 31, 2019. (Current law provides for reinforced fencing along at least 700 miles of such border.)

protect southwestern states enforcement act act bill requires cbp ensure specified border patrol sectors texas california arizona fully staffed including hiring additional cbp border_patrol personnel needed maintain number border_patrol stations sector current levels illegal immigration reform immigrant responsibility act amended direct department_of_homeland_security construct double fencing entire southwest border december current law provides reinforced fencing miles border


Summary:
IDENT Fingerprint Digitization Completion Act of 2016

This bill requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, within 90 days after this bill's enactment, to complete the digitization of all remaining paper-based fingerprint records for inclusion in the Automated Biometric Identification System (IDENT) of the Department of Homeland Security.

bill requires days bill enactment complete remaining paper based fingerprint records inclusion department_of_homeland_security


Summary:
Preservation of Public Evidence Act of 2016

This bill requires a state that receives funds under a Department of Justice (DOJ) grant program for law enforcement activities to require state and local law enforcement agencies to submit investigation records pertaining to an individual's injury or death by a law enforcement officer or while in the custody of a law enforcement agency.

DOJ must reduce by 10% the allocation of grant funds for a state or local government that fails to comply.

The bill appropriates additional FY2017 funds for Community Oriented Policing Services grants to acquire body-worn cameras.

act bill requires state receives funds department_of_justice doj grant program law enforcement activities require state local law enforcement agencies submit investigation records pertaining individual injury death law enforcement officer custody law enforcement agency doj reduce allocation grant funds state local government fails comply bill appropriates additional fy2017 funds grants acquire body worn cameras


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Promoting Travel, Commerce, and National Security Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal criminal code to allow the United States to prosecute certain U.S. employees who engage in conduct in Canada that would constitute a federal criminal offense if the conduct had occurred in the United States. This bill applies to a Department of Homeland Security or Department of Justice employee, contractor, or employee of a contractor who is stationed in Canada pursuant to a border security initiative.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure commerce sec bill amends federal criminal code allow united_states prosecute certain employees engage conduct canada constitute federal criminal offense conduct occurred united_states bill applies department_of_homeland_security department_of_justice employee contractor employee contractor stationed canada pursuant border security initiative


Summary:
End the Backlog Act

This bill requires that if the total amount appropriated for the Executive Office for Immigration Review does not exceed $485.3 million for FY2017, the total amount authorized to be appropriated for FY2018 and each of the three succeeding fiscal years for: (1) U.S. Customs and Border Protection is $13,219,051; and (2) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is $6,151,579.

end backlog act bill requires total appropriated executive_office_for_immigration_review exceed million fy2017 total authorized appropriated fy2018 succeeding fiscal years


Summary:
States Against Drunk Driving Act of 2016 or the SADD Act of 2016

This bill authorizes supplemental funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program for states that: (1) report at least 90% of DUI convictions, and (2) have in effect a law or policy that requires a DUI conviction to be taken into account for purposes of an enhanced criminal sentence under state law.

The term "DUI conviction" means a criminal conviction for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of a drug or alcohol.

states drunk driving act act bill authorizes supplemental funds edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program states report convictions effect law policy requires conviction taken account purposes enhanced criminal sentence state law term conviction means criminal conviction operating motor vehicle influence drug alcohol


Summary:
Emergency Port of Entry Personnel and Infrastructure Funding Act of 2015

Directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to hire, train, and assign to duty, by September 30, 2020: (1) 5,000 additional full-time U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to serve on all inspection lanes and enforcement teams at U.S. land ports of entry on the northern and southern borders; and (2) 350 full-time support staff for all U.S. ports of entry.

Requires DHS to: (1) ensure that each CBP officer is equipped with a secure two-way communication and satellite-enabled device that allows CBP officers to communicate between ports of entry and inspection stations and with other law enforcement entities; and (2) establish a program for awarding grants for the purchase of identification and detection equipment and mobile, hand-held, two-way communication devices for state and local law enforcement officers serving on the southern border.

 Authorizes CBP to aid in the enforcement of federal customs, immigration, and agriculture laws by: (1) designing, constructing, and modifying U.S. ports of entry, living quarters for personnel, technology and equipment, and other structures and facilities; (2) acquiring land deemed necessary to carry out the CBP's duties under this Act; and (3) constructing additional ports of entry along the southern and northern borders. Directs CBP to give priority consideration to projects that will substantially reduce commercial and passenger vehicle and pedestrian crossing wait times, increase trade, travel efficiency, and the projected total annual volume, and enhance safety and security, at border facilities at one or more ports of entry on the same border.

Authorizes CBP and the General Services Administration, over a 10-year period, to enter into cost-sharing or reimbursement agreements, or accept donations of real or personal property or nonpersonal services, to facilitate the construction, alteration, operation, or maintenance of a new or existing facility or other infrastructure at a port of entry under their jurisdiction, custody, and control.

Directs DHS to: (1) develop a strategic plan for standardized collection of vehicle wait times at land ports of entry and update it to reflect new practices, timelines, tools, and assessments; (2) develop a standardized model for the allocation of CBP officers and support staff at land ports of entry; and (3) identify and adopt at least two new, outcome-based performance measures that support the trade facilitation goals of CBP.

emergency infrastructure funding act dhs hire train assign duty september additional time cbp officers serve inspection lanes enforcement teams land ports entry northern southern borders time support staff ports entry requires dhs ensure cbp officer equipped secure way communication satellite enabled device allows cbp officers communicate ports entry inspection stations law enforcement entities establish program awarding grants purchase identification detection equipment mobile hand held way communication devices state local law enforcement officers serving southern border authorizes cbp aid enforcement federal customs immigration agriculture laws designing constructing modifying ports entry living quarters personnel technology equipment structures facilities acquiring land deemed necessary carry cbp duties act constructing additional ports entry southern northern borders directs cbp priority consideration projects substantially reduce commercial passenger vehicle pedestrian crossing wait times increase trade travel efficiency projected total annual volume enhance safety security border facilities ports entry border authorizes cbp general_services_administration year period enter cost sharing reimbursement agreements accept donations real personal property nonpersonal services facilitate construction alteration operation maintenance new existing facility infrastructure port entry jurisdiction custody control directs dhs develop strategic plan standardized collection vehicle wait times land ports entry update reflect new practices timelines tools assessments develop standardized model allocation cbp officers support staff land ports entry identify adopt new outcome based performance measures support trade facilitation goals cbp


Summary:
Inspector General Empowerment Act of 2015

This bill makes changes to the Inspector General Act of 1978 to expand the responsibilities and independence of the Offices of Inspectors General.

(Sec. 2) This section amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to eliminate the role of federal agencies as supervisors of their Inspectors General.

The President or the head of a designated federal entity may not place an Inspector General in a paid or unpaid, nonduty status unless, within 48 hours, the President or the agency head communicates in writing to Congress the reasons for such action, which shall be limited to evidence that the continued presence of the Inspector General in the workplace may: (1) pose a threat to an employee or others, (2) result in the loss of or damage to federal property, or (3) otherwise jeopardize the legitimate interests of the federal government.

An Inspector General may not be placed on such status for more than 10 days, unless the Integrity Committee of the Council of the Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency (Council) submits to the President or the agency head a written recommendation for additional time that is acted upon by the President or the agency head and communicated immediately to Congress.

(Sec. 3) This section grants Inspectors General additional subpoena authority to compel the attendance and testimony of certain witnesses, including current and former federal government contractors, subcontractors, or grantees, and former federal employees, necessary in the performance of functions assigned by such Act. An Inspector General must: (1) submit a request for approval to issue such an subpoena to a Subpoena Panel, (2) notify the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the intent to issue the subpoena, and (3) report to the Council on the number of times the Inspector General has issued a subpoena.

(Sec. 4) ) The Inspector General of the Intelligence Community, rather than the Inspector General of the Office of the Director of National Security, shall be a member of the Council.

The Council must report on its activities to specified congressional committees and review and mediate disputes regarding an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or project that involves the jurisdiction of more than one Office of Inspector General.

The membership structure of the Integrity Committee of the Council is modified to eliminate the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation as Chairperson of the Committee and the Special Counsel of the Office of Special Counsel as a Committee member. The Committee must elect one of the Inspectors General on the Committee as Chairperson to serve for a term of two years.

The Committee, not later than seven days after receiving an allegation of wrongdoing against an Inspector General or Inspector General staff member, must refer such allegation to a representative of DOJ, the Office of Special Counsel, and the Committee for review. If an allegation of wrongdoing is referred to the Committee, the Committee must decide within 15 days to refer the allegation to the Chairperson to initiate an investigation.

This section sets forth further requirements for investigations of allegations of wrongdoing, including: (1) requiring an agency to provide necessary resources to the Committee during its investigation; (2) requiring the Chairperson of the Committee to complete the investigation of the allegations within 120 days; (3) allowing concurrent investigations by the Committee, DOJ, and the Office of Special Counsel; and (4) requiring reports to Members of Congress of the results of any investigation.

The Committee may also receive, review, and refer allegations of wrongdoing against the Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel (officials appointed to investigate prohibited personnel practices and government waste and abuse).

This section also authorizes appropriations for the Council for FY2016-FY2021.

(Sec. 5) This section sets forth reporting and other requirements under the Act, including by requiring: (1) the Government Accountability Office to study and report on prolonged vacancies in the Offices of Inspector General; (2) the Council to conduct and report on an analysis of critical issues that involve the jurisdiction of more than one Office of Inspector General; (3) the Office of Inspector General of each federal agency and department to submit to specified congressional committees reports on investigations of misconduct by federal employees paid at level 15 of the General Schedule or above who were not prosecuted, on instances of whistleblower retaliation, on attempts to interfere with the independence of of the Office of Inspector General, and on undisclosed investigations, evaluations, and audits; and (4) an Inspector General to disclose any work product that makes a recommendation or otherwise suggests corrective action.

(Sec. 6) This section makes: (1) technical and clerical corrections to the Act, and (2) a distinction between a federal agency and a designated federal entity for purposes of the Act.

inspector general bill makes changes inspector general act expand responsibilities independence sec section amends inspector general act eliminate role federal agencies supervisors inspectors general president head designated federal entity place inspector general paid unpaid status hours president agency head communicates writing congress reasons action shall limited evidence continued presence inspector_general workplace pose threat employee result loss damage federal property jeopardize legitimate interests federal government inspector general placed status days submits president agency head written recommendation additional time acted president agency head communicated immediately congress sec section grants inspectors general additional subpoena authority compel attendance testimony certain witnesses including current federal government contractors subcontractors grantees federal employees necessary performance functions assigned act inspector general submit request approval issue subpoena notify department_of_justice doj intent issue subpoena report council number times inspector general issued subpoena sec inspector general intelligence_community inspector general shall member council council report activities specified congressional committees review disputes audit investigation inspection evaluation project involves jurisdiction office_of_inspector_general membership structure modified eliminate director federal_bureau_of_investigation chairperson committee special counsel office_of_special_counsel committee member committee elect inspectors general committee chairperson serve term years committee later seven days receiving allegation wrongdoing inspector general inspector general staff member refer allegation representative doj office_of_special_counsel committee review allegation wrongdoing referred committee committee decide days refer allegation chairperson initiate investigation section sets forth requirements investigations allegations wrongdoing including requiring agency provide necessary resources committee investigation requiring chairperson committee complete investigation allegations days allowing concurrent investigations committee doj office_of_special_counsel requiring reports members congress results investigation committee receive review refer allegations wrongdoing special_counsel deputy special counsel officials appointed investigate prohibited personnel practices government waste abuse section authorizes appropriations sec section sets forth reporting requirements act including requiring government_accountability_office study report prolonged vacancies council conduct report analysis critical issues involve jurisdiction office_of_inspector_general office_of_inspector_general federal agency department submit specified congressional committees reports investigations misconduct federal employees paid level general schedule prosecuted instances whistleblower retaliation attempts interfere independence office_of_inspector_general undisclosed investigations evaluations audits inspector general disclose work product makes recommendation suggests corrective action sec section makes technical clerical corrections act distinction federal agency designated federal entity purposes act


Summary:
Inspector General Access Act of 2015

Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to eliminate a provision of such Act that requires referral of allegations of misconduct involving Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys, investigators, or law enforcement personnel to the DOJ Office of Professional Responsibility (thus allowing the DOJ Inspector General to investigate such allegations).

inspector general access act amends inspector general act eliminate provision act requires referral allegations misconduct involving department_of_justice doj attorneys investigators law enforcement personnel allowing doj inspector general investigate allegations


Summary:
Protecting Communities and Police Act of 2015

This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Defense Logistics Agency, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to jointly appoint a task force to determine the appropriateness of the use of certain military equipment by state and local law enforcement agencies.

The bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require FEMA, in consultation with the task force established by this Act, to: (1) assess the appropriateness of items on FEMA's Authorized Equipment List for use by law enforcement agencies in counterterrorism activities, (2) designate items on the List that may be purchased by law enforcement agencies, (3) review the List every five years, and (4) publish the List on the website of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and in the Federal Register.

 The bill defines certain items on the List as either prohibited or restricted items that a local law enforcement agency cannot purchase or use without FEMA authorization or the approval of the law enforcement agency's governing body. The law enforcement agency must submit a needs justification statement with any request for the purchase of a restricted item. The bill also sets forth training and certification requirements for local law enforcement agencies on the use of restricted items.

The bill limits law enforcement agencies with fewer than 10 full-time law enforcement officers to one tactical military vehicle unless the agency has in place a joint-use agreement with another agency and serves as the procuring agency under the agreement. Similarly, small Special Weapons and Tactics teams (SWAT teams) consisting of fewer than 17 sworn law enforcement officers (35 if more than one law enforcement agency is involved) cannot purchase restricted items.

Law enforcement agencies that are under DOJ consent decrees for civil rights abuses or excessive use of force are prohibited from buying restricted items without DOJ approval.

The bill establishes priorities for transfers of Department of Defense military equipment to other federal agencies ahead of state and local law enforcement agencies.

The bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to limit the use of grant funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program for the purchase of military equipment by state and local law enforcement agencies. The bill requires DOJ to create and make publicly available: (1) a list of prohibited items that may not be purchased by a law enforcement agency using Byrne grant funds unless necessary to prevent a threat to national security, and (2) a list of special justice items that are suitable for certain uses by law enforcement agencies.

This bill requires: (1) law enforcement agencies that purchase equipment for SWAT teams to publish training records for such teams; (2) states to establish whistle blower protections and public complaint hot lines for reporting misuse of any military equipment purchased with Byrne grant funds; and (3) grant funds to be allocated for the purchase of body cameras, dashboard cameras, gun cameras, and related costs.

DOJ must: (1) collect and analyze data on the use of SWAT teams by federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies; and (2) publish and report on such data.

The bill also amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require DHS, through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, to conduct programs to certify instructors to conduct training courses on law enforcement tactics for state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.

police act bill directs federal_emergency_management_agency fema defense_logistics_agency department_of_justice doj jointly appoint task force determine appropriateness use certain military equipment state local law enforcement agencies bill amends homeland security act require fema consultation task force established act assess appropriateness items fema use law enforcement agencies counterterrorism activities designate items list purchased law enforcement agencies review list years publish list website department_of_homeland_security dhs federal_register bill defines certain items list prohibited restricted items local law enforcement agency purchase use fema authorization approval law enforcement agency governing body law enforcement agency submit needs justification statement request purchase restricted item bill sets forth training certification requirements local law enforcement agencies use restricted items bill limits law enforcement agencies fewer time law enforcement officers tactical military vehicle agency place joint use agreement agency serves procuring agency agreement similarly small special weapons tactics teams teams consisting fewer sworn law enforcement officers law enforcement agency involved purchase restricted items law enforcement agencies doj consent decrees civil rights abuses excessive use force prohibited buying restricted items doj approval bill establishes priorities transfers department_of_defense military equipment federal agencies ahead state local law enforcement agencies bill amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act limit use grant funds edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program purchase military equipment state local law enforcement agencies bill requires doj create publicly available list prohibited items purchased law enforcement agency byrne grant funds necessary prevent threat national security list special justice items suitable certain uses law enforcement agencies bill requires law enforcement agencies purchase equipment teams publish training records teams states establish whistle blower protections public complaint hot lines reporting misuse military equipment purchased byrne grant funds grant funds allocated purchase body cameras dashboard cameras gun cameras related costs doj collect analyze data use teams federal state local tribal law enforcement agencies publish report data bill amends homeland security act require dhs federal_law_enforcement_training_center conduct programs certify instructors conduct training courses law enforcement tactics state local tribal law enforcement agencies


Summary:
Border Health Security Act of 2015

This bill amends the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act to require the commission to cooperate with the Canada-United States Pan-Border Public Health Preparedness Council and to recommend and implement initiatives that solve border health issues. Members of the commission may provide advice or recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or Congress without authorization or a request.

HHS must award grants: (1) to address the priorities and recommendations of the commission and council to improve the health of border area residents, and (2) for infectious disease surveillance activities in border areas.

Every five years, the commission and the council must each prepare a binational strategic plan that includes priority areas, recommendations to address these priority areas, and an evaluation framework to gauge progress.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response may coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security in establishing a system that alerts clinicians and public health officials to emerging health threats in border areas.

border health security act bill amends act require commission cooperate recommend implement initiatives solve border health issues members commission provide advice recommendations department_of_health_and_human_services hhs congress authorization request hhs award grants address priorities recommendations commission council improve health border area residents infectious disease surveillance activities border areas years commission council prepare binational strategic plan includes priority areas recommendations address priority areas evaluation framework gauge progress office assistant secretary preparedness response coordinate department_of_homeland_security establishing system alerts clinicians public health officials emerging health threats border areas


Summary:
Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act

(Sec. 3) This bill amends the federal criminal code to require any health care practitioner who is present when a child is born alive following an abortion or attempted abortion to: (1) exercise the same degree of care as reasonably provided to any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and (2) ensure that such child is immediately admitted to a hospital. The term "born alive" means the complete expulsion or extraction from his or her mother, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut.

Also, a health care practitioner or other employee who has knowledge of a failure to comply with these requirements must immediately report such failure to an appropriate law enforcement agency.

An individual who violates the provisions of this Act is subject to a criminal fine, up to five years in prison, or both.

An individual who commits an overt act that kills a child born alive is subject to criminal prosecution for murder.

The legislation bars the criminal prosecution of a mother of a child born alive for conspiracy to violate the provisions of this Act, for being an accessory after the fact, or for concealment of felony.

A woman who undergoes an abortion or attempted abortion may file a civil action for damages against an individual who violates this Act.

born alive abortion survivors protection act sec bill amends federal criminal code require health care practitioner present child born alive following abortion attempted abortion exercise degree care reasonably provided child born alive gestational age ensure child immediately admitted hospital term born alive means complete expulsion extraction mother stage development expulsion extraction heart umbilical cord definite movement voluntary regardless umbilical cord cut health care practitioner employee knowledge failure comply requirements immediately report failure appropriate law enforcement agency individual violates provisions act subject criminal fine years prison individual commits act kills child born alive subject criminal prosecution murder legislation bars criminal prosecution mother child born alive conspiracy violate provisions act accessory fact concealment felony woman undergoes abortion attempted abortion file civil action damages individual violates act


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on November 16, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Northern Border Security Review Act

(Sec. 3) This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit to specified congressional committees a northern border threat analysis, which shall include analyses of:

 terrorism and criminal threats posed by individuals and organized groups seeking to enter the United States through the northern border or to exploit border vulnerabilities on such border; improvements needed at and between ports of entry along the northern border to prevent terrorists and instruments of terrorism from entering the United States and to reduce criminal activity, as measured by the total flow of illegal goods, illicit drugs, and smuggled and trafficked persons moved in either direction across such border; gaps in law, policy, cooperation between state, tribal, and local law enforcement, international agreements, or tribal agreements that hinder border security, counterterrorism, anti-human smuggling and trafficking efforts, and the flow of legitimate trade along the northern border; and whether additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance and preinspection operations at ports of entry along the northern border could help prevent terrorists and instruments of terror from entering the United States. The Secretary, for such analysis, must consider and examine:

 technology needs and challenges; personnel needs and challenges; the role of state, tribal, and local law enforcement in general border security activities; the need for cooperation among federal, state, tribal, local, and Canadian law enforcement entities relating to border security; the terrain, population density, and climate along the northern border; and the needs and challenges of Department of Homeland Security facilities, including the physical approaches to such facilities.

measure amended passed senate november summary version repeated review act sec bill directs secretary homeland_security submit specified congressional committees northern border threat analysis shall include analyses terrorism criminal threats posed individuals organized groups seeking enter united_states northern border border vulnerabilities border improvements needed ports entry northern border prevent terrorists instruments terrorism entering united_states reduce criminal activity measured total flow illegal goods illicit drugs smuggled trafficked persons moved direction border gaps law policy cooperation state tribal local law enforcement international agreements tribal agreements hinder border security counterterrorism anti human smuggling trafficking efforts flow legitimate trade northern border additional border_protection preclearance operations ports entry northern border help prevent terrorists instruments terror entering united_states secretary analysis consider examine technology needs challenges personnel needs challenges role state tribal local law enforcement general border security activities need cooperation federal state tribal local canadian law enforcement entities relating border security terrain population density climate northern border needs challenges department_of_homeland_security facilities including physical approaches facilities


Summary:
Border Security Technology Accountability Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), for each major border security technology acquisition program, to:

 ensure that it has a written acquisition program baseline approved by the relevant acquisition decision authority; document that it is meeting cost, schedule, and performance thresholds in compliance with departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation; and have a plan for meeting program implementation objectives by managing contractor performance. "Major acquisition program" means a DHS acquisition program estimated to require an eventual total expenditure of at least $300 million (based on FY2015 constant dollars) over its life cycle cost.

Through the Under Secretary for Management and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), DHS shall ensure that border security technology acquisition program managers adhere to internal control standards identified by the Government Accountability Office. CBP shall provide information to assist the Under Secretary monitor program management.

The Under Secretary shall submit a plan to Congress for border security technology testing and evaluation so that such new technologies are evaluated through a series of assessments, processes, and audits to ensure compliance with departmental acquisition policies and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as well as the effectiveness of taxpayer dollars.

(Sec. 3) No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.

accountability act sec bill amends homeland security act require department_of_homeland_security dhs major border security technology acquisition program ensure written acquisition program baseline approved relevant acquisition decision authority document meeting cost schedule performance thresholds compliance departmental acquisition policies federal_acquisition_regulation plan meeting program implementation objectives managing contractor performance major acquisition program means dhs acquisition program estimated require eventual total expenditure million based fy2015 constant dollars life cycle cost secretary management cbp dhs shall ensure border security technology acquisition program managers adhere internal control standards identified government_accountability_office cbp shall provide information assist secretary monitor program management secretary shall submit plan congress border security technology testing evaluation new technologies evaluated series assessments processes audits ensure compliance departmental acquisition policies federal_acquisition_regulation effectiveness taxpayer dollars sec additional funds authorized appropriated carry act