Criminal Justice

in committee · United States · House May 13, 2026

HR 8796: Federal Halo Act

The Federal Halo Act creates a new federal crime for approaching or staying within 15 feet of a law enforcement officer after receiving a verbal warning to stop. This provision applies to any individual who knowingly violates such a warning with the intent to interfere with the officer's duties, threaten them, or harass them. The bill defines harassment as a course of conduct that intentionally causes substantial emotional distress to the officer without a legitimate purpose. Anyone convicted of this offense could face a fine, up to five years in prison, or both penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating a new federal crime that restricts lawful behavior near officers, thereby limiting rights and increasing penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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passed · United States · House May 13, 2026

HR 8352: Criminal History Access Act of 2026

The Criminal History Access Act expands the types of government entities that can receive criminal history records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for official use. It specifically allows the FBI to share these records with the United States Sentencing Commission, State sentencing commissions, Indian tribes, and State peace officer standards and training agencies. These State agencies are defined as those with statutory authority to set standards for law enforcement hiring, training, and ethical conduct. The bill also broadens the definition of "State" for these purposes to include U.S. territories, and requires the Attorney General to update regulations to reflect these changes within 180 days.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands access to criminal history records for sentencing commissions and training agencies, enhancing oversight and accountability in criminal justice systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing

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in committee · United States · House Apr 20, 2026

HR 8369: No ICE in Schools Act

The "No ICE in Schools Act" proposes to prevent educational agencies and institutions from releasing student records or other personal information for immigration enforcement purposes. It directly affects schools and colleges receiving federal funds, as well as students whose data might be sought by immigration enforcement. The bill amends existing law to prohibit federal funds from being provided to any educational entity that releases such information without specific written consent from the student's parents. This parental consent must detail the records, reasons for release, and recipient, with a copy provided to the parents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by limiting immigration enforcement access to student data, reducing fear and encouraging community engagement with law enforcement.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill protects student privacy and educational access by preventing immigration enforcement from accessing school records, thereby strengthening educational institutions and student rights.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill prevents schools from sharing student data with ICE, protecting immigrant students from enforcement actions and limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects student data privacy by prohibiting schools from sharing information with immigration enforcement without consent, directly supporting digital rights and data privacy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety DACA & Dreamers Enforcement Sanctuary Policies Data Privacy

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in committee · United States · House Apr 23, 2026

HR 8470: Surveillance Accountability Act

The Surveillance Accountability Act aims to strengthen Fourth Amendment protections against warrantless government searches, directly affecting federal employees involved in surveillance and individuals whose data or privacy is subject to government access. It generally mandates that government entities obtain a warrant based on probable cause for most searches, explicitly requiring one to access data held by third-party companies like internet providers or financial institutions. While outlining exceptions for situations like plain view or publicly available information, the bill specifically prohibits the warrantless collection or analysis of biometric data (e.g., facial recognition) or license plate reader data from public places without informed consent. Additionally, it creates a new legal avenue for individuals to sue federal employees who violate their Fourth Amendment rights, allowing for redress and attorney's fees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens Fourth Amendment protections and requires warrants for searches, enhancing civil rights and police accountability within criminal justice.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens Fourth Amendment protections and requires warrants for data access, enhancing digital privacy and consumer protection against government surveillance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Emerging Technology

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in committee · United States · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 8267: SAFER Transport Act

The SAFER Transport Act aims to combat freight fraud and theft and enhance regulatory integrity for motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and commercial drivers. It phases out the use of MC numbers, mandating a unified USDOT number system with new provisions to detect fraudulent activity and withhold or revoke registrations for felony convictions or material misrepresentations. The bill also establishes an advisory committee and inter-agency coordination to address freight theft, while strengthening commercial driver's license (CDL) requirements for non-citizens and increasing oversight of

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens regulatory integrity and fraud detection in freight, reducing criminal activity and protecting industry from theft through enhanced oversight and revocation of fraudulent registrations.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety and regulatory integrity for motor carriers and drivers, strengthening the transportation system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing Freight

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in committee · United States · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 8302: Stop Illegal Aliens Drunk Driving

This bill, HR 8302, amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to change how certain driving offenses are treated for immigration purposes. It expands the definition of an "aggravated felony" to include offenses where a non-citizen drives while intoxicated or impaired and causes death or serious bodily injury to another person, regardless of whether the conviction is classified as a misdemeanor or felony under local law. Consequently, any non-citizen convicted of such an offense would be deemed "inadmissible" to the United States. These provisions take effect upon enactment and apply to relevant actions taken on or after that date, even if the underlying conviction occurred before the bill's passage.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding drunk driving causing injury to aggravated felonies, increasing penalties for non-citizens without addressing underlying justice issues.85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill expands aggravated felony definition to include drunk driving causing injury, increasing immigration enforcement consequences for non-citizens.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House Apr 16, 2026

HR 8325: Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026

This bill, the Rehabilitation Through Reading Act of 2026, establishes new procedures for managing book availability in federal prisons, directly affecting incarcerated individuals and the Bureau of Prisons. It mandates the creation of a Publication Review Committee, comprising members such as an incarcerated individual and a First Amendment expert, to approve or disapprove books. The Director of the Bureau of Prisons must submit requests to this committee to prohibit a book, and the committee cannot ban books based on disfavored viewpoints or content. Incarcerated individuals can appeal book prohibitions, with books remaining available during the appeal process. The bill also requires annual reports to Congress detailing all prohibited books and the outcomes of appeals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation through reading in federal prisons, which aligns with reducing recidivism and improving rehabilitation programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 14, 2026

S 4293: No Funding to Honor Crime Scenes Act

This bill mandates the closure and defunding of the César E. Chávez National Monument in California. It directs the Secretary of the Interior to close the Monument to public access and prohibits any further federal funding for its operation. Within 90 days, the Monument's land and federal contents must be sold for fair market value. All remaining funds previously allocated to the Monument, along with the proceeds from its sale, would be transferred to support the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act. Additionally, the bill removes "César E. Chávez" from all federal references to the Monument and nullifies the original proclamation that established it.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill redirects DNA analysis backlog funding by defunding a monument, potentially limiting resources for criminal justice reform efforts.75% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill mandates closure and defunding of César E. Chávez National Monument, removing conservation protections and federal funding for environmental preservation.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2026

HR 7703: Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act

The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act amends federal law to modify exemptions for government entities regarding firearms. Currently, federal, state, and local government agencies are generally exempt from many federal prohibitions when acquiring or supplying firearms for official use. This bill would remove that exemption for specific prohibitions, making it unlawful for government entities to provide firearms to or employ individuals who are unlawfully in the United States. Additionally, the bill removes the

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement by prohibiting government entities from employing or arming individuals unlawfully in the US, limiting police operational capacity.75% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts government entities from employing individuals unlawfully in the US and removes firearm exemptions for such individuals, limiting protections for immigrants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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passed · United States · House May 18, 2026

HR 8365: Monitor Accountability Act

The Monitor Accountability Act of 2026 directs the Administrator of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to establish new rules for federal courts appointing monitors to oversee State or local governments. The bill limits monitor fees, caps their service to one monitorship for a maximum of five years, and prevents reappointments under the same court order. It also requires courts to allow public comment before appointing a monitor and mandates annual public accountings of services and fees. Additionally, cases with monitorships lasting six years or more must be transferred to a different judge. These provisions, including the appointment of new monitors and case transfers, apply retroactively to existing monitorships that have been in effect for six years.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances oversight of federal monitors in state/local governments, promoting accountability and transparency in judicial processes related to criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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