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Public Law101th CongressCrime and Law Enforcement
S. 993Became Law

Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989

This bill became law

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What it doesSummary passed senate amended (Nov 21, 1989)

Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989 - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to implement the Biological Weapons Convention and to protect the United States from biological terrorism.

Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon anyone who knowingly develops, produces, stockpiles, transfers, acquires, retains, or possesses any biological agent, toxin, or delivery system for use as a weapon or assists a foreign state or any organization to do so. Provides for extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense committed by or against a U.S. national.

Authorizes the Attorney General to request the issuance of a warrant authorizing the seizure of any such agent, toxin, or delivery system that exists by reason of conduct prohibited under this Act or that is of a type or in a quantity that has no apparent justification for prohylactic, protective, or other peaceful purposes. Authorizes the seizure and destruction of such an agent, toxin, or delivery system upon probable cause without a warrant in exigent circumstances. Establishes as an affirmative defense against forfeiture that such agent, toxin, or delivery system is for a peaceful purpose and is of a type or quantity reasonable for that purpose.

Authorizes the United States to obtain an injunction against conduct prohibited by this Act.

Authorizes the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications related to biological weapons offenses under specified conditions.

What just happenedMay 22, 1990

Became Public Law No: 101-298.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI](D-WI)Sponsor
15 cosponsors13 D2 R
Read on Congress.gov
15cosponsors1committees25actions1related bills11subjects
  1. May 22, 1990PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 101-298.

  2. May 22, 1990BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 101-298.

  3. May 22, 1990PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. May 22, 1990BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. May 10, 1990FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. May 10, 1990President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. May 10, 1990Floor

    Measure Signed in Senate.

  8. May 8, 1990FloorH38700

    A similar measure H.R. 237 was laid on the table without objection.

  9. May 8, 1990FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  10. May 8, 1990FloorH37100

    On passage Passed without objection.

  11. May 8, 1990Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.

  12. May 8, 1990FloorH30200

    Mr. Kastenmeier asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.

  13. May 8, 1990FloorH30000

    Considered by unanimous consent.

  14. Nov 21, 1989FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  15. Nov 21, 1989FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  16. Nov 21, 1989Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

  17. Nov 21, 1989Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.

  18. Nov 16, 1989Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 393.

  19. Nov 16, 1989Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-210.

    Judiciary Committee
  20. Nov 16, 1989Committee14000

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-210.

    Judiciary Committee
  21. Nov 16, 1989Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Judiciary Committee
  22. Oct 21, 1989Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  23. Jul 26, 1989Committee

    Committee on Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 101-416.

    Judiciary Committee
  24. May 16, 1989IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  25. May 16, 1989IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Passed Senate amendedNov 21, 198935

Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989 - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to implement the Biological Weapons Convention and to protect the United States from biological terrorism.

Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon anyone who knowingly develops, produces, stockpiles, transfers, acquires, retains, or possesses any biological agent, toxin, or delivery system for use as a weapon or assists a foreign state or any organization to do so. Provides for extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense committed by or against a U.S. national.

Authorizes the Attorney General to request the issuance of a warrant authorizing the seizure of any such agent, toxin, or delivery system that exists by reason of conduct prohibited under this Act or that is of a type or in a quantity that has no apparent justification for prohylactic, protective, or other peaceful purposes. Authorizes the seizure and destruction of such an agent, toxin, or delivery system upon probable cause without a warrant in exigent circumstances. Establishes as an affirmative defense against forfeiture that such agent, toxin, or delivery system is for a peaceful purpose and is of a type or quantity reasonable for that purpose.

Authorizes the United States to obtain an injunction against conduct prohibited by this Act.

Authorizes the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications related to biological weapons offenses under specified conditions.

Introduced in SenateMay 16, 198900

Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989 - Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon any person who knowingly: (1) develops, produces, stockpiles, acquires or possesses any agent, toxin, or delivery system for use as a weapon of mass destruction; or (2) assists a foreign state or an international organization to manufacture or acquire such an agent, toxin, or delivery system.

Authorizes the Attorney General to seize and destroy any such agent, toxin, or delivery system.

Authorizes the United States to obtain an injunction against conduct prohibited by this Act.

Sets forth defenses to any seizure or injunction under this Act.

Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989 — Informed