CSSA Positions on Federal Legislation

CSSA Positions on Federal Legislation – 2023

9/7/23 CSSA Letter of Opposition for HR 1525 Assett Forfeiture. Letter sent to Representative Walberg regarding opposition of House Resolution 1525, which would eliminate the equitable sharing program, which allows the United States Department of Justice to share the proceeds derived from forfeited property with the state and local law enforcement agencies that are involved in the investigation that resulted in the property seizure. The equitable sharing program encourages cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement in investigating drug trafficking, human trafficking, organized retail crime, cybercrime, and other major criminal activity, while providing state and local law enforcement agencies with a means to participate in joint task forces, conduct training, upgrade investigative technology, purchase equipment, and support community-based programs and engagement. Asset forfeiture helps deter crime by allowing law enforcement to disrupt and dismantle criminal enterprises, which benefits public safety and keeps our communities safe. For these reasons, CSSA is opposed to HR 1525, which would take away a viable and effective public safety tool from law enforcement.

6/13/23 CSSA Letter of Support for S. 1305 School Guardian Act. Letter sent to Senator Scott regarding support for S. 1305, the School Guardian Act, which would provide federal funding to support the placement of armed law enforcement personnel at every K-12 school in the nation. Law enforcement officers in schools can be a vital link in community policing by using local partnerships with other public entities to improve trust in law enforcement and enhance student safety by mitigating violence in schools. Beyond student safety, a school-law enforcement partnership can also be a positive framework for broader programs such as teaching, counseling, and mentoring students by law enforcement personnel. For these reasons, CSSA is pleased to support federal funding for schools to include law enforcement personnel on site.

CSSA Positions on Federal Legislation – 2022

5/11/22 CSSA Letter of Concern and Support for HR 6903 Wildfire Suppression. Letter sent to Representative Mcclintock regarding support for HR 6903, which would direct the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to immediately suppress all wildfires, excluding prescribed fires, on National Forest System (NFS) lands. Requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure the federal government quickly extinguishes wildfires detected on National Forest System lands, and more importantly, not inhibit or prohibit the suppression efforts of state and local firefighting agencies authorized to respond to wildfires on these lands, is a proactive measure that will save human life, wildlife, and communities, as well as help protect our state’s watershed, forests, and air quality. HR 6903 calls for all available resources to be used for fire suppression immediately after initial detection. For this reason, CSSA supports this legislation and appreciates your commitment to ensuring that wildfires that begin on National Forest System lands are addressed in a timely manner, so we are better prepared to suppress wildfires before they become catastrophic.