LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

June 30, 2006

House Votes to Appropriate Funds to the Law Enforcement Tribute Act

On June 28, the House of Representatives adopted an amendment sponsored by Congressmen Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) to the Fiscal Year 2007 Science-State-Justice-Commerce Appropriations bill (H.R. 5672) that will increase funds for the Law Enforcement Tribute Act Program by $500,000. In 2002, Congress authorized the Law Enforcement Tribute Act through 2009 for $3 million per year, but the program has not received any appropriations since FY 2003, when it received $500,000.

Since the enactment of the Tribute Act Program, many states, counties, municipalities, and Indian tribes have undertaken various projects and efforts to honor their officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice or have been seriously injured in the line of duty.  This amendment will help local and state governments erect permanent tributes to honor the men and women of law enforcement who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Every day public safety officers selflessly serve to protect the safety of others in their communities. Regrettably, some give the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. The passage of this provision will help ensure that these officers’ dedication to duty is praised, their sacrifice extolled and they are lauded as having protected and guaranteed the continuation of a safe and just society.

NAPO worked closely with Congressman Lipinski to get this amendment adopted to the appropriations bill and we salute Congress for recognizing the importance of this provision to the law enforcement community. We thank Congressmen Lipinski and Schiff for their efforts to help commemorate the work of fallen law enforcement officers across the country.

House Passes Science-State-Justice-Commerce Appropriations Bill

On June 29, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal 2007 Science-State-Justice-Commerce Appropriations bill (H.R. 5672). During the three days of floor debate, the House voted to adopt numerous amendments to boost spending for state and local law enforcement, including funds for the Law Enforcement Tribute Act as mentioned above.

President Bush had proposed the elimination of the Byrne Justice Assistance grants and Congress rightly ignored his request by approving several amendments that boosted funding for the Byrne grants to $633 million. In addition, the House adopted an amendment to increase funding by $10 million for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program, which reimburses local law enforcement for the costs associated with incarcerating illegal immigrants who have committed at least one felony or two misdemeanors. The program was originally slated to receive $405 million. H.R. 5672 also includes $2.6 billion for assistance to state and local law enforcement for crime-fighting initiatives.