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.

CSSA Positions on Federal Legislation – 2019

5/14/19 CSSA Letters of Concern and Opposition to Proposals That Would Increase Truck Weight and Length Limits. Letter sent to Senators Feinstein and Harris, and California House Delegation regarding its long-standing opposed position to proposals that would increase the size and weight of commercial trucks traveling on our nation’s highways and local roads. From a law enforcement perspective, even the current weight and length of trucks on our roads create unique public safety risks. Increased weight and length for commercial trucks will not only deteriorate our roads and bridges at a quicker pace, it will increase the safety risks of truck rollover and lead to longer stopping distances. Additional weight and length will also cause vital safety equipment such as brakes, suspension and tires to operate below an acceptable level. This isn’t just an unnecessary hazard to motorists, it’s also an unnecessary hazard to our law enforcement colleagues, whether in transit or responding to accidents.  

7/16/19 CSSA Letter of Support of S 506 (Feinstein) – Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2019. Letter sent to Senators Feinstein and Harris to inform of its support of S 506, the Extreme Risk Protection Order Act. The legislation would provide that the Director of the federal COPS Office establish a grant program that encourages states to enact extreme risk protection / gun violence prevention order legislation so that they, or states that have such legislation, may apply for the funding established by this bill.  

7/16/19 CSSA Letter of Support of HR 1865 (Pascrell, NJ-9) – National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act. Letter sent to The Honorable Bill Pascrell, Jr. – United States Representative and the California House Delegation to inform of its support of HR 1865 (Pascrell, NJ-9), the National Law Enforcement Museum Commemorative Coin Act. The legislation directs the U.S. Treasury to mint a coin in commemoration of the opening of the National Law Enforcement Museum. The proceeds from the sale of the coins will go to the non-profit National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) for educational and outreach programs and exhibits at the Museum. 

We note that HR 1865 will not cost any taxpayer dollars. All funding will come from the sale of the coins to private citizens, and no funds will be distributed to the Memorial Fund until after the U.S. Treasury has recouped all of its costs. HR 1865 provides a wonderful opportunity for all individuals to honor and recognize the extraordinary service and sacrifice of the men and women of law enforcement.

CSSA Positions on Federal Legislation – 2018

6/5/18 and 5/22/18 CSSA Letters of Concern and Opposition to Proposed Amendments to Increase Truck Weight and Length Limits. Letter sent to Senators Feinstein and Harris, and California Members of the House Appropriations Committee. CSSA was informed of proposed amendments to the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) to (1) require every state to allow longer double-trailer trucks that are 91 feet long, known as “Double 33s” and / or (2) allow maximum truck weights to increase from 80,000 pounds to 91,000 pounds. CSSA expressed its concern and opposition to the proposed amendments as well as any other efforts in this regard.

4/3/18 CSSA Support of Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Program. The ONDCP is a key component in bringing federal, state, local and tribal governments together, fostering law enforcement, treatment, and prevention partnerships. ONDCP’s HIDTA Program plays an essential role in the nation’s drug control strategy. The success of HIDTA is touted by key stakeholders across the nation due to its ability to seamlessly operate on local, regional and national levels, coordinating resources to address the drug problem. HIDTAs continue to collaborate with prevention and treatment programs. California’s HIDTA provides law enforcement agencies with nationwide connectivity with other HIDTAs, increasing the exchange of information and enhancing joint investigations.

1/8/18 CSSA Letter of Opposition to Specified Provisions of HR 3668 – The Sportsman’s Heritage and Recreational Enhancement Act (SHARE Act). CSSA is concerned with the following provisions of the SHARE Act:
1)    Deregulation of Silencers – The SHARE Act removes silencers from the regulatory requirements of the National Firearms Act (NFA), which has been in effect since 1934. Under the NFA, potential buyers of silencers must submit fingerprints, a photograph, pay a special tax, and undergo a federal background check. It is because of these safeguards that silencers are rarely trafficked or used in crimes. 
2)    Transportation of Firearms and Ammunition – The SHARE Act loosens current federal law and preempts state law on the transport of firearms and ammunition across state lines. It would authorize lawsuits against officers who temporarily detain interstate travelers transporting firearms, weakening law enforcement’s ability to fight gun trafficking.
3)    Assault Rifles and Armor-Piercing Bullets – The SHARE Act removes the ATF’s authority to classify certain high-caliber ammunition as “armor-piercing,” and restricts the ATF from classifying certain types of shotguns, shotgun shells, and large caliber rifles as “destructive devices,” and thereby not subject to federal regulation under the National Firearms Act. The bill also strips federal authorities of the ability to prevent the importation of dangerous firearms not suitable for sporting purposes. 
For these reasons, CSSA is opposed to HR 3668, and respectfully requests that these provisions be removed from the bill.