Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB331

Introduced
1/12/23  
Refer
1/12/23  

Caption

Illicit Arms Trafficking Security Enforcement Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to establish a new unit—a Border Enforcement Security Task Force unit—to investigate transnational criminal organization arms smuggling across the international border between the United States and Mexico. The purposes of the new unit include, among other things, reducing arms smuggling from the United States to Mexico.

Impact

The bill mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security establish the task force within 180 days of its enactment. The primary focus areas for the task force include reducing arms smuggling, apprehending individuals involved in such activities, ensuring cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, and optimizing the sharing of intelligence and data. Furthermore, the legislation emphasizes the need for effective coordination between various law enforcement bodies, enhancing the capacity to tackle the systemic issues of illegal arms trafficking.

Summary

House Bill 331, known as the Illicit Arms Trafficking Security Enforcement Act, aims to establish a Border Enforcement Security Task Force unit within the Department of Homeland Security. This unit is tasked with investigating arms smuggling activities connected to transnational criminal organizations operating across the U.S.-Mexico border. This initiative is prompted by increasing concerns regarding the illegal flow of arms and munitions from the United States to Mexico and the associated criminal activities, including violence and drug trafficking, that ensue as a result.

Contention

Despite the clear intentions to mitigate arms trafficking, there may be concerns regarding the implications of increased federal involvement in issues traditionally managed at state or local levels. While proponents of HB 331 argue that better coordination among federal agencies will lead to more effective investigations and a decrease in arms smuggling, opponents may critique the expansion of federal authority and the potential for overreach in law enforcement activities. The issue of resource allocation and agency cooperation also raises questions about the practical execution of the bill, including the risks of duplicated efforts and the need for specialized training among personnel involved.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

TX HB127

Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing a Texas Homeland Security Division, and to compensate persons affected by those threats.

LA HR176

Commends the Homeland Security Investigations team of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

TX SB2377

Relating to homeland security, including the creation of the Texas Homeland Security Division in the Department of Public Safety, the operations of the Homeland Security Council, the creation of a homeland security fusion center, and the duties of state agencies and local governments in preparing for, reporting, and responding to cybersecurity breaches; providing administrative penalties; creating criminal offenses.

OK HB2720

State government; creating the Targeted Violence Prevention Act; authorizing the Department of Homeland Security and Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center to collect, analyze, and disseminate certain information to law enforcement and public safety agencies; codification; emergency.

IL SB3883

$IEMA-OCE

IL HB5740

$IEMAOCE

OK SB766

Office of Homeland Security; creating the Targeted Violence Prevention Act. Emergency.