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Bill108th CongressFiled Jan 9, 2003Crime and Law Enforcement
S. 121

National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003

Bill journey · stage 1 of 5

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What it doesSummary passed senate without amendment (Jan 21, 2003)

National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Requires the Attorney General to assign an AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of the AMBER Alert communications network regarding abducted children. Requires the coordinator to: (1) seek to eliminate gaps in the network; (2) work with States to encourage the development of additional network elements and to ensure regional coordination; and (3) act as the nationwide point of contact for network development and for regional coordination of alerts on abducted children through the network. Directs the Coordinator to notify and consult with the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning each child abduction for which an AMBER Alert is issued.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Coordinator to establish minimum standards for the issuance of alerts and for the extent of their dissemination (limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the recovery of the abducted child). Provides that the standards shall be adoptable on a voluntary basis only.

Requires the Coordinator to cooperate with the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission in carrying out such activities.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of notification or communications systems along highways for alerts and other information for the recovery of abducted children. Includes among permissible activities the development or enhancement of electronic message boards, and the placement of additional signage, along highways. Limits the Federal cost share to 50 percent. Directs the Secretary to ensure grant distribution on an equitable basis throughout the various regions of the United States. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Attorney General to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of programs and activities for the support of AMBER Alert communications plans, which may include the development and implementation of: (1) education and training programs and associated materials; and (2) law enforcement programs and associated equipment. Limits the Federal cost share to 50 percent. Directs the Secretary to ensure grant distribution on an equitable basis throughout the various regions of the United States. Authorizes appropriations.

What just happenedApr 2, 2003

Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Frost. Petition No: 108-1. (<a href="http://clerk.house.gov/108/lrc/pd/Petitions/Dis1.htm">Discharge petition</a> text with signatures.)

Who’s behind it

Sen. Hutchison, Kay Bailey [R-TX](R-TX)Sponsor
38 cosponsors19 D19 R
Read on Congress.gov
38cosponsors3committees15actions2related bills27subjects
  1. Apr 2, 2003DischargeH17000

    Motion to Discharge Committee filed by Mr. Frost. Petition No: 108-1. (<a href="http://clerk.house.gov/108/lrc/pd/Petitions/Dis1.htm">Discharge petition</a> text with signatures.)

  2. Mar 6, 2003CommitteeH11000

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

    Crime and Federal Government Surveillance Subcommittee
  3. Jan 27, 2003IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  4. Jan 27, 2003IntroReferralH11100-A

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Jan 27, 2003IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Judiciary Committee
  6. Jan 27, 2003Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  7. Jan 27, 2003Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  8. Jan 27, 2003FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  9. Jan 21, 2003Floor

    Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 92 - 0. Record Vote Number: 9. (text: CR S1237)

  10. Jan 21, 2003Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 92 - 0. Record Vote Number: 9.(text: CR S1237)

  11. Jan 21, 2003Discharge

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S1234-1237)

    Judiciary Committee
  12. Jan 21, 2003Committee14500

    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S1234-1237)

    Judiciary Committee
  13. Jan 9, 2003IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  14. Jan 9, 2003IntroReferralB00100

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S155-156)

  15. Jan 9, 2003IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed Senate without amendmentJan 21, 200382
National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003 - (Sec. 2) Requires the Attorney General to assign an AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice to act as the national coordinator of the AMBER Alert communications network regarding abducted children. Requires the coordinator to: (1) seek to eliminate gaps in the network; (2) work with States to encourage the development of additional network elements and to ensure regional coordination; and (3) act as the nationwide point of contact for network development and for regional coordination of alerts on abducted children through the network. Directs the Coordinator to notify and consult with the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning each child abduction for which an AMBER Alert is issued.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Coordinator to establish minimum standards for the issuance of alerts and for the extent of their dissemination (limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the recovery of the abducted child). Provides that the standards shall be adoptable on a voluntary basis only.

Requires the Coordinator to cooperate with the Secretary of Transportation and the Federal Communications Commission in carrying out such activities.

(Sec. 4) Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of notification or communications systems along highways for alerts and other information for the recovery of abducted children. Includes among permissible activities the development or enhancement of electronic message boards, and the placement of additional signage, along highways. Limits the Federal cost share to 50 percent. Directs the Secretary to ensure grant distribution on an equitable basis throughout the various regions of the United States. Authorizes appropriations.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Attorney General to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of programs and activities for the support of AMBER Alert communications plans, which may include the development and implementation of: (1) education and training programs and associated materials; and (2) law enforcement programs and associated equipment. Limits the Federal cost share to 50 percent. Directs the Secretary to ensure grant distribution on an equitable basis throughout the various regions of the United States. Authorizes appropriations.

Introduced in SenateJan 9, 200300
National AMBER Alert Network Act of 2003 - Requires the Attorney General to assign an AMBER Alert Coordinator of the Department of Justice to act as the national Coordinator of the AMBER Alert communications network regarding abducted children. Requires the coordinator to: (1) seek to eliminate gaps in the network; (2) work with States to encourage the development of additional network elements and to ensure regional coordination; and (3) act as the nationwide point of contact for network development and for regional coordination of alerts on abducted children through the network.

Directs the Coordinator to: (1) notify and consult with the Federal Bureau of Investigation concerning each child abduction for which an AMBER Alert is issued; and (2) establish minimum standards for the issuance of alerts and for the extent of their dissemination (limited to the geographic areas most likely to facilitate the recovery of the abducted child).

Requires the Secretary of Transportation to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of notification or communications systems along highways for alerts and other information for the recovery of abducted children. Includes among permissible activities the development or enhancement of electronic message boards, and the placement of additional signage, along highways.

Directs the Attorney General to provide grants to States for the development or enhancement of programs and activities for the support of AMBER Alert communications plans.