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The Sentencing Reform Act of 2015 (H.R. 3713): A Summary

Description: This report examines H.R. 3713, the Sentencing Reform Act of 2015, which addresses the sentences that may be imposed in various drug and firearms cases. It proposes amendments to those areas of federal law that govern mandatory minimum sentencing requirements for drug and firearm offenses; the so-called safety valves which permits court to impose sentences below otherwise required mandatory minimums in the case of certain low-level drug offenders; and the retroactive application of the Fair Sen… more
Date: May 16, 2016
Creator: Doyle, Charles
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Overview of Selected Federal Criminal Civil Rights Statutes

Description: Federal criminal civil rights laws impose criminal penalties for deprivation of certain federal rights, privileges, or immunities. These laws prohibit hate crimes based on race, color, religion, or national origin; the burning of places of worship; violence against health care providers; and the transport of persons (particularly women and children) for the purpose of enslavement or forced labor. Some of these laws require a discriminatory motivation while others, such as human trafficking, do … more
Date: December 16, 2014
Creator: Smith, Alison M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Identity Theft: Trends and Issues

Description: This report first provides a brief federal legislative history of identity theft laws. It analyzes selected trends in identity theft, including prevalent identity theft-related crimes, the federal agencies involved in combating identity theft, and the trends in identity theft complaints and prosecutions. The report also discusses the relationship between data breaches and identity theft as well as possible effects of the FTC's Identity Theft Red Flags Rule. It also examines possible issues for … more
Date: January 16, 2014
Creator: Finklea, Kristin
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Cybersecurity: Authoritative Reports and Resources

Description: This report provides links to cybersecurity hearings and legislation under consideration in the 113th Congress and those considered in the 112th Congress, as well as executive orders and presidential directives, data and statistics, glossaries, and authoritative reports.
Date: August 16, 2013
Creator: Tehan, Rita
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Public Mass Shootings in the United States: Selected Implications for Federal Public Health and Safety Policy

Description: This report focuses on mass shootings and selected implications they have for federal policy in the areas of public health and safety. While such crimes most directly impact particular citizens in very specific communities, addressing these violent episodes involves officials at all levels of government and professionals from numerous disciplines.
Date: April 16, 2013
Creator: Bjelopera, Jerome P.; Bagalman, Erin; Caldwell, Sarah W.; Finklea, Kristin M. & McCallion, Gail
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Gun Control Legislation

Description: This report looks at past gun control legislation and also how recent events (such as the shooting in Tucson, AZ on January 8, 2011 which notably wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords) have influenced current legislation. This report concludes with discussion of other salient and recurring gun control issues that have generated past congressional interest.
Date: May 16, 2012
Creator: Krouse, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Organized Retail Crime

Description: This report provides an overview of organized retail crime rings, their operations, and goods targeted. It then examines the domestic impact of organized retail crime (ORC) in the arenas of the economy, public health and safety, and domestic security. The report also outlines current efforts by retailers, resale markets, and the federal government to combat ORC. It then analyzes various policy issues that the 111th Congress may wish to consider, including whether current federal resources provi… more
Date: June 16, 2010
Creator: Finklea, Kristin M.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Southwest Border Violence: Issues in Identifying and Measuring Spillover Violence

Description: This report focuses on how policy makers would identify any spillover of drug trafficking-related violence into the United States. It provides an overview of Mexican drug trafficking organization structures, how they conduct business, and the relationship between the drug trafficking organizations in Mexico and their partnerships operating here in the United States; a discussion of the illicit drug trade between Mexico and the United States; and other related issues.
Date: February 16, 2010
Creator: Lake, Jennifer E.; Finklea, Kristin M.; Eddy, Mark; Franco, Celinda; Hadda, Chad C. l; Krouse, William J. et al.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Hate Crime Legislation

Description: This report provides an overview of the hate crime debate, with background on current law and hate crime statistics, and a legislative history of hate crime prevention bills in recent Congresses. This report does not analyze the constitutional or other legal issues that often arise as part of the hate crime debate.
Date: October 16, 2009
Creator: Krouse, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF): Budget and Operations

Description: This report provides an overview of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) budget and operations. It will be updated as needed to reflect congressional action on the FY2010 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS), and Related Agencies Appropriations bill, the appropriations bill that includes the ATF account.
Date: June 16, 2009
Creator: Krouse, William J.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Latin America: Terrorism Issues

Description: This report discusses terrorism in the region tri-border area (TBA) of Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay has been a regional hub for Hizballah and Hamas fundraising activities. The report also examines activity by Cuba, which has been designated by the State Department as a state sponsor of terrorism since 1982, and asserts that Venezuela has virtually ceased its cooperation in the global war on terror.
Date: September 16, 2006
Creator: Sullivan, Mark P.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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International Terrorism: Threat, Policy, and Response

Description: This report examines international terrorist actions, threats, U.S. policies and responses. It reviews the nation’s use of tools at its disposal to combat terrorism, from diplomacy, international cooperation, and constructive engagement to physical security enhancement, economic sanctions, covert action, and military force.
Date: August 16, 2006
Creator: Perl, Raphael F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Homeland Security: Protecting Airliners from Terrorist Missiles

Description: Recent events have focused attention on the threat that terrorists with shoulder fired surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), referred to as Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), pose to commercial airliners. This report discusses SAMs and examines options for mitigating missile threats.
Date: February 16, 2006
Creator: Bolkcom, Christopher & Elias, Bartholomew
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Drug Control: International Policy and Approaches

Description: Over the past decade, worldwide production of illicit drugs has risen dramatically: opium and marijuana production has roughly doubled and coca production tripled. Street prices of cocaine and heroin have fallen significantly in the past 20 years, reflecting increased availability. Despite apparent national political resolve to deal with the drug problem, inherent contradictions regularly appear between U.S. anti-drug policy and other national policy goals and concerns. The mix of competing dom… more
Date: October 16, 2003
Creator: Perl, Raphael F.
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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Enron: Selected Securities, Accounting, and Pension Laws Possibly Implicated in its Collapse

Description: This report takes a brief look at some of the federal statutes concerning finance that the Congress and the Executive branch may focus on in their investigations. The report considers three major areas: the federal securities laws, the federal pension laws, and accounting standards.
Date: January 16, 2002
Creator: Seitzinger, Michael V.; Morris, Marie B. & Jickling, Mark
Partner: UNT Libraries Government Documents Department
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