[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 27]
[House]
[Pages 36220-36225]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 COURT SECURITY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2007

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in 
the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 660) to amend title 18, United 
States Code, to protect judges, prosecutors, witnesses, victims, and 
their family members, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:

       Senate amendment:
       Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Court Security Improvement 
     Act of 2007''.

          TITLE I--JUDICIAL SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS AND FUNDING

     SEC. 101. JUDICIAL BRANCH SECURITY REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Ensuring Consultation With the Judiciary.--Section 566 
     of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the 
     end the following:
       ``(i) The Director of the United States Marshals Service 
     shall consult with the Judicial Conference of the United 
     States on a continuing basis regarding the security 
     requirements for the judicial branch of the United States 
     Government, to ensure that the views of the Judicial 
     Conference regarding the security requirements for the 
     judicial branch of the Federal Government are taken into 
     account when determining staffing levels, setting priorities 
     for programs regarding judicial security, and allocating 
     judicial security resources. In this paragraph, the term 
     `judicial security' includes the security of buildings 
     housing the judiciary, the personal security of judicial 
     officers, the assessment of threats made to judicial 
     officers, and the protection of all other judicial personnel. 
     The United States Marshals Service retains final authority 
     regarding security requirements for the judicial branch of 
     the Federal Government.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 331 of title 28, United 
     States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``The Judicial Conference shall consult with the Director 
     of United States Marshals Service on a continuing basis 
     regarding the security requirements for the judicial branch 
     of the United States Government, to ensure that the views of 
     the Judicial Conference regarding the security requirements 
     for the judicial branch of the Federal Government are taken 
     into account when determining staffing levels, setting 
     priorities for programs regarding judicial security, and 
     allocating judicial security resources. In this paragraph, 
     the term `judicial security' includes the security of 
     buildings housing the judiciary, the personal security of 
     judicial officers, the assessment of threats made to judicial 
     officers, and the protection of all other judicial personnel. 
     The United States Marshals Service retains final authority 
     regarding security requirements for the judicial branch of 
     the Federal Government.''.

     SEC. 102. PROTECTION OF UNITED STATES TAX COURT.

       (a) In General.--Section 566(a) of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``and the Court of International 
     Trade'' and inserting ``, the Court of International Trade, 
     and the United States Tax Court, as provided by law''.
       (b) Internal Revenue Code.--Section 7456(c) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to incidental powers of the 
     Tax Court) is amended in the matter following paragraph (3), 
     by striking the period at the end, and inserting ``and may 
     otherwise provide, when requested by the chief judge of the 
     Tax Court, for the security of the Tax Court, including the 
     personal protection of Tax Court judges, court officers, 
     witnesses, and other threatened persons in the interests of 
     justice, where criminal intimidation impedes on the 
     functioning of the judicial process or any other official 
     proceeding. The United States Marshals Service retains final 
     authority regarding security requirements for the Tax 
     Court.''.
       (c) Reimbursement.--The United States Tax Court shall 
     reimburse the United States Marshals Service for protection 
     provided under the amendments made by this section.

     SEC. 103. ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS FOR UNITED STATES MARSHALS 
                   SERVICE TO PROTECT THE JUDICIARY.

       In addition to any other amounts authorized to be 
     appropriated for the United States Marshals Service, there 
     are authorized to be appropriated for the United States 
     Marshals Service

[[Page 36221]]

     $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011 for--
       (1) hiring entry-level deputy marshals for providing 
     judicial security;
       (2) hiring senior-level deputy marshals for investigating 
     threats to the judiciary and providing protective details to 
     members of the judiciary, assistant United States attorneys, 
     and other attorneys employed by the Federal Government; and
       (3) for the Office of Protective Intelligence, for hiring 
     senior-level deputy marshals, hiring program analysts, and 
     providing secure computer systems.

     SEC. 104. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORTS.

       Section 105(b)(3) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 
     (5 U.S.C. App) is amended by striking ``2009'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``2011''.

TITLE II--CRIMINAL LAW ENHANCEMENTS TO PROTECT JUDGES, FAMILY MEMBERS, 
                             AND WITNESSES

     SEC. 201. PROTECTIONS AGAINST MALICIOUS RECORDING OF 
                   FICTITIOUS LIENS AGAINST FEDERAL JUDGES AND 
                   FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

       (a) Offense.--Chapter 73 of title 18, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 1521. Retaliating against a Federal judge or Federal 
       law enforcement officer by false claim or slander of title

       ``Whoever files, attempts to file, or conspires to file, in 
     any public record or in any private record which is generally 
     available to the public, any false lien or encumbrance 
     against the real or personal property of an individual 
     described in section 1114, on account of the performance of 
     official duties by that individual, knowing or having reason 
     to know that such lien or encumbrance is false or contains 
     any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or 
     representation, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned 
     for not more than 10 years, or both.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The chapter analysis for chapter 
     73 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new item:

``1521. Retaliating against a Federal judge or Federal law enforcement 
              officer by false claim or slander of title.''.

     SEC. 202. PROTECTION OF INDIVIDUALS PERFORMING CERTAIN 
                   OFFICIAL DUTIES.

       (a) Offense.--Chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:

     ``Sec. 119. Protection of individuals performing certain 
       official duties

       ``(a) In General.--Whoever knowingly makes restricted 
     personal information about a covered person, or a member of 
     the immediate family of that covered person, publicly 
     available--
       ``(1) with the intent to threaten, intimidate, or incite 
     the commission of a crime of violence against that covered 
     person, or a member of the immediate family of that covered 
     person; or
       ``(2) with the intent and knowledge that the restricted 
     personal information will be used to threaten, intimidate, or 
     facilitate the commission of a crime of violence against that 
     covered person, or a member of the immediate family of that 
     covered person,
     shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 
     years, or both.
       ``(b) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `restricted personal information' means, 
     with respect to an individual, the Social Security number, 
     the home address, home phone number, mobile phone number, 
     personal email, or home fax number of, and identifiable to, 
     that individual;
       ``(2) the term `covered person' means--
       ``(A) an individual designated in section 1114;
       ``(B) a grand or petit juror, witness, or other officer in 
     or of, any court of the United States, or an officer who may 
     be, or was, serving at any examination or other proceeding 
     before any United States magistrate judge or other committing 
     magistrate;
       ``(C) an informant or witness in a Federal criminal 
     investigation or prosecution; or
       ``(D) a State or local officer or employee whose restricted 
     personal information is made publicly available because of 
     the participation in, or assistance provided to, a Federal 
     criminal investigation by that officer or employee;
       ``(3) the term `crime of violence' has the meaning given 
     the term in section 16; and
       ``(4) the term `immediate family' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 115(c)(2).''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 7 of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``119. Protection of individuals performing certain official duties.''.

     SEC. 203. PROHIBITION OF POSSESSION OF DANGEROUS WEAPONS IN 
                   FEDERAL COURT FACILITIES.

       Section 930(e)(1) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended by inserting ``or other dangerous weapon'' after 
     ``firearm''.

     SEC. 204. CLARIFICATION OF VENUE FOR RETALIATION AGAINST A 
                   WITNESS.

       Section 1513 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) A prosecution under this section may be brought in 
     the district in which the official proceeding (whether 
     pending, about to be instituted, or completed) was intended 
     to be affected, or in which the conduct constituting the 
     alleged offense occurred.''.

     SEC. 205. MODIFICATION OR TAMPERING WITH A WITNESS, VICTIM, 
                   OR AN INFORMANT OFFENSE.

       Section 1512 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(3)--
       (A) by amending subparagraph (A) to reads as follows:
       ``(A) in the case of a killing, the punishment provided in 
     sections 1111 and 1112;'';
       (B) in the matter following clause (ii) of subparagraph (B) 
     by striking ``20 years'' and inserting ``30 years''; and
       (C) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``10 years'' and 
     inserting ``20 years'';
       (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``ten years'' and 
     inserting ``20 years''; and
       (3) in subsection (d), by striking ``one year'' and 
     inserting ``3 years''.

     SEC. 206. MODIFICATION OF RETALIATION OFFENSE.

       Section 1513 of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(1)(B)--
       (A) by inserting a comma after ``probation''; and
       (B) by striking the comma which immediately follows another 
     comma;
       (2) in subsection (a)(2)(B), by striking ``20 years'' and 
     inserting ``30 years'';
       (3) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by inserting a comma after ``probation''; and
       (ii) by striking the comma which immediately follows 
     another comma; and
       (B) in the matter following paragraph (2), by striking 
     ``ten years'' and inserting ``20 years''; and
       (4) by redesignating the second subsection (e) as 
     subsection (f).

     SEC. 207. GENERAL MODIFICATIONS OF FEDERAL MURDER CRIME AND 
                   RELATED CRIMES.

       Section 1112(b) of title 18, United States Code, is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``ten years'' and inserting ``15 years''; 
     and
       (2) by striking ``six years'' and inserting ``8 years''.

     SEC. 208. ASSAULT PENALTIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 115(b) of title 18, United States 
     Code, is amended by striking ``(1)'' and all that follows 
     through the end of paragraph (1) and inserting the following: 
     ``(1) The punishment for an assault in violation of this 
     section is--
       ``(A) a fine under this title; and
       ``(B)(i) if the assault consists of a simple assault, a 
     term of imprisonment for not more than 1 year;
       ``(ii) if the assault involved physical contact with the 
     victim of that assault or the intent to commit another 
     felony, a term of imprisonment for not more than 10 years;
       ``(iii) if the assault resulted in bodily injury, a term of 
     imprisonment for not more than 20 years; or
       ``(iv) if the assault resulted in serious bodily injury (as 
     that term is defined in section 1365 of this title, and 
     including any conduct that, if the conduct occurred in the 
     special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United 
     States, would violate section 2241 or 2242 of this title) or 
     a dangerous weapon was used during and in relation to the 
     offense, a term of imprisonment for not more than 30 
     years.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 111(a) of title 18, 
     United States Code, is amended by striking ``in all other 
     cases'' and inserting ``where such acts involve physical 
     contact with the victim of that assault or the intent to 
     commit another felony''.

     SEC. 209. DIRECTION TO THE SENTENCING COMMISSION.

       The United States Sentencing Commission is directed to 
     review the Sentencing Guidelines as they apply to threats 
     punishable under section 115 of title 18, United States Code, 
     that occur over the Internet, and determine whether and by 
     how much that circumstance should aggravate the punishment 
     pursuant to section 994 of title 28, United States Code. In 
     conducting the study, the Commission shall take into 
     consideration the number of such threats made, the intended 
     number of recipients of such threats, and whether the initial 
     senders of such threats were acting in an individual capacity 
     or as part of a larger group.

TITLE III--PROTECTING STATE AND LOCAL JUDGES AND RELATED GRANT PROGRAMS

     SEC. 301. GRANTS TO STATES TO PROTECT WITNESSES AND VICTIMS 
                   OF CRIMES.

       (a) In General.--Section 31702 of the Violent Crime Control 
     and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 13862) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) by a State, unit of local government, or Indian tribe 
     to create and expand witness and victim protection programs 
     to prevent threats, intimidation, and retaliation against 
     victims of, and witnesses to, violent crimes.''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 31707 of the 
     Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (42 
     U.S.C. 13867) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 31707. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``There are authorized to be appropriated $20,000,000 for 
     each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2012 to carry out this 
     subtitle.''.

     SEC. 302. ELIGIBILITY OF STATE COURTS FOR CERTAIN FEDERAL 
                   GRANTS.

       (a) Correctional Options Grants.--Section 515 of the 
     Omnibus Crime Control and Safe

[[Page 36222]]

     Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3762a) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) grants to State courts to improve security for State 
     and local court systems.''; and
       (2) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following:
     ``Priority shall be given to State court applicants under 
     subsection (a)(4) that have the greatest demonstrated need to 
     provide security in order to administer justice.''.
       (b) Allocations.--Section 516(a) of the Omnibus Crime 
     Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3762b) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``80'' and inserting ``70'';
       (2) by striking ``and 10'' and inserting ``10''; and
       (3) by inserting before the period the following: ``, and 
     10 percent for section 515(a)(4)''.
       (c) State and Local Governments To Consider Courts.--The 
     Attorney General may require, as appropriate, that whenever a 
     State or unit of local government or Indian tribe applies for 
     a grant from the Department of Justice, the State, unit, or 
     tribe demonstrate that, in developing the application and 
     distributing funds, the State, unit, or tribe--
       (1) considered the needs of the judicial branch of the 
     State, unit, or tribe, as the case may be;
       (2) consulted with the chief judicial officer of the 
     highest court of the State, unit, or tribe, as the case may 
     be; and
       (3) consulted with the chief law enforcement officer of the 
     law enforcement agency responsible for the security needs of 
     the judicial branch of the State, unit, or tribe, as the case 
     may be.
       (d) Armor Vests.--Section 2501 of title I of the Omnibus 
     Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3796ll) 
     is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a), by inserting ``and State and local 
     court officers'' after ``tribal law enforcement officers''; 
     and
       (2) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ``State or local 
     court,'' after ``government,''.

     SEC. 303. GRANTS TO STATES FOR THREAT ASSESSMENT DATABASES.

       (a) In General.--The Attorney General, through the Office 
     of Justice Programs, shall make grants under this section to 
     the highest State courts in States participating in the 
     program, for the purpose of enabling such courts to establish 
     and maintain a threat assessment database described in 
     subsection (b).
       (b) Database.--For purposes of subsection (a), a threat 
     assessment database is a database through which a State can--
       (1) analyze trends and patterns in domestic terrorism and 
     crime;
       (2) project the probabilities that specific acts of 
     domestic terrorism or crime will occur; and
       (3) develop measures and procedures that can effectively 
     reduce the probabilities that those acts will occur.
       (c) Core Elements.--The Attorney General shall define a 
     core set of data elements to be used by each database funded 
     by this section so that the information in the database can 
     be effectively shared with other States and with the 
     Department of Justice.
       (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for 
     each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

                   TITLE IV--LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

     SEC. 401. REPORT ON SECURITY OF FEDERAL PROSECUTORS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall submit 
     to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a 
     report on the security of assistant United States attorneys 
     and other Federal attorneys arising from the prosecution of 
     terrorists, violent criminal gangs, drug traffickers, gun 
     traffickers, white supremacists, those who commit fraud and 
     other white-collar offenses, and other criminal cases.
       (b) Contents.--The report submitted under subsection (a) 
     shall describe each of the following:
       (1) The number and nature of threats and assaults against 
     attorneys handling prosecutions described in subsection (a) 
     and the reporting requirements and methods.
       (2) The security measures that are in place to protect the 
     attorneys who are handling prosecutions described in 
     subsection (a), including threat assessments, response 
     procedures, availability of security systems and other 
     devices, firearms licensing (deputations), and other measures 
     designed to protect the attorneys and their families.
       (3) The firearms deputation policies of the Department of 
     Justice, including the number of attorneys deputized and the 
     time between receipt of threat and completion of the 
     deputation and training process.
       (4) For each requirement, measure, or policy described in 
     paragraphs (1) through (3), when the requirement, measure, or 
     policy was developed and who was responsible for developing 
     and implementing the requirement, measure, or policy.
       (5) The programs that are made available to the attorneys 
     for personal security training, including training relating 
     to limitations on public information disclosure, basic home 
     security, firearms handling and safety, family safety, mail 
     handling, counter-surveillance, and self-defense tactics.
       (6) The measures that are taken to provide attorneys 
     handling prosecutions described in subsection (a) with secure 
     parking facilities, and how priorities for such facilities 
     are established--
       (A) among Federal employees within the facility;
       (B) among Department of Justice employees within the 
     facility; and
       (C) among attorneys within the facility.
       (7) The frequency attorneys handling prosecutions described 
     in subsection (a) are called upon to work beyond standard 
     work hours and the security measures provided to protect 
     attorneys at such times during travel between office and 
     available parking facilities.
       (8) With respect to attorneys who are licensed under State 
     laws to carry firearms, the policy of the Department of 
     Justice as to--
       (A) carrying the firearm between available parking and 
     office buildings;
       (B) securing the weapon at the office buildings; and
       (C) equipment and training provided to facilitate safe 
     storage at Department of Justice facilities.
       (9) The offices in the Department of Justice that are 
     responsible for ensuring the security of attorneys handling 
     prosecutions described in subsection (a), the organization 
     and staffing of the offices, and the manner in which the 
     offices coordinate with offices in specific districts.
       (10) The role, if any, that the United States Marshals 
     Service or any other Department of Justice component plays in 
     protecting, or providing security services or training for, 
     attorneys handling prosecutions described in subsection (a).

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     SEC. 501. EXPANDED PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY FOR THE UNITED 
                   STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION.

       (a) In General.--Section 995 of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(f) The Commission may--
       ``(1) use available funds to enter into contracts for the 
     acquisition of severable services for a period that begins in 
     1 fiscal year and ends in the next fiscal year, to the same 
     extent as executive agencies may enter into such contracts 
     under the authority of section 303L of the Federal Property 
     and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 253l);
       ``(2) enter into multi-year contracts for the acquisition 
     of property or services to the same extent as executive 
     agencies may enter into such contracts under the authority of 
     section 304B of the Federal Property and Administrative 
     Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 254c); and
       ``(3) make advance, partial, progress, or other payments 
     under contracts for property or services to the same extent 
     as executive agencies may make such payments under the 
     authority of section 305 of the Federal Property and 
     Administrative Services Act of 1949 (41 U.S.C. 255).''.
       (b) Sunset.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
     cease to have force and effect on September 30, 2010.

     SEC. 502. BANKRUPTCY, MAGISTRATE, AND TERRITORIAL JUDGES LIFE 
                   INSURANCE.

       (a) In General.--Section 604(a)(5) of title 28, United 
     States Code, is amended by inserting after ``hold office 
     during good behavior,'' the following: ``magistrate judges 
     appointed under section 631 of this title, and territorial 
     district court judges appointed under section 24 of the 
     Organic Act of Guam (48 U.S.C. 1424b), section 1(b) of the 
     Act of November 8, 1977 (48 U.S.C. 1821), or section 24(a) of 
     the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands (48 U.S.C. 
     1614(a)),''.
       (b) Bankruptcy Judges.--
       (1) In general.--The Director of the Administrative Office 
     of the United States Courts, upon authorization by the 
     Judicial Conference of the United States and subject to the 
     availability of appropriations, shall pay on behalf of 
     bankruptcy judges appointed under section 152 of title 28, 
     United States Code, aged 65 or over, any increases in the 
     cost of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance imposed after 
     April 24, 1999, including any expenses generated by such 
     payments.
       (2) Implementation.--Any payment authorized by the Judicial 
     Conference of the United States under paragraph (1) shall 
     apply with respect to any payment made on or after the first 
     day of the first applicable pay period beginning on or after 
     the date of that authorization.
       (c) Construction.--For purposes of construing and applying 
     chapter 87 of title 5, United States Code, including any 
     adjustment of insurance rates by regulation or otherwise, the 
     following categories of judicial officers shall be deemed to 
     be judges of the United States as described under section 
     8701 of title 5, United States Code:
       (1) Bankruptcy judges appointed under section 152 of title 
     28, United States Code.
       (2) Magistrate judges appointed under section 631 of title 
     28, United States Code.
       (3) Territorial district court judges appointed under 
     section 24 of the Organic Act of Guam (48 U.S.C. 1424b), 
     section 1(b) of the Act of November 8, 1977 (48 U.S.C. 1821), 
     or section 24(a) of the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin 
     Islands (48 U.S.C. 1614(a)).
       (4) Judges retired under section 377 of title 28, United 
     States Code.
       (5) Judges retired under section 373 of title 28, United 
     States Code.

[[Page 36223]]

       (d) Effective Date.--Subsection (c) and the amendment made 
     by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to any payment 
     made on or after the first day of the first applicable pay 
     period beginning on or after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.

     SEC. 503. ASSIGNMENT OF JUDGES.

       Section 296 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
     inserting at the end of the second undesignated paragraph the 
     following new sentence: ``However, a district judge who has 
     retired from regular active service under section 371(b) of 
     this title, when designated and assigned to the court to 
     which such judge was appointed, having performed in the 
     preceding calendar year an amount of work equal to or greater 
     than the amount of work an average judge in active service on 
     that court would perform in 6 months, and having elected to 
     exercise such powers, shall have the powers of a judge of 
     that court to participate in appointment of court officers 
     and magistrate judges, rulemaking, governance, and 
     administrative matters.''.

     SEC. 504. SENIOR JUDGE PARTICIPATION IN THE SELECTION OF 
                   MAGISTRATE JUDGES.

       Section 631(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking ``Northern Mariana Islands'' the first place it 
     appears and inserting ``Northern Mariana Islands (including 
     any judge in regular active service and any judge who has 
     retired from regular active service under section 371(b) of 
     this title, when designated and assigned to the court to 
     which such judge was appointed)''.

     SEC. 505. GUARANTEEING COMPLIANCE WITH PRISONER PAYMENT 
                   COMMITMENTS.

       Section 3624(e) of title 18, United States Code, is amended 
     by striking the last sentence and inserting the following: 
     ``Upon the release of a prisoner by the Bureau of Prisons to 
     supervised release, the Bureau of Prisons shall notify such 
     prisoner, verbally and in writing, of the requirement that 
     the prisoner adhere to an installment schedule, not to exceed 
     2 years except in special circumstances, to pay for any fine 
     imposed for the offense committed by such prisoner, and of 
     the consequences of failure to pay such fines under sections 
     3611 through 3614 of this title.''.

     SEC. 506. STUDY AND REPORT.

       The Attorney General shall study whether the generally open 
     public access to State and local records imperils the safety 
     of the Federal judiciary. Not later than 18 months after the 
     enactment of this Act, the Attorney General shall report to 
     Congress the results of that study together with any 
     recommendations the Attorney General deems necessary.

     SEC. 507. REAUTHORIZATION OF FUGITIVE APPREHENSION TASK 
                   FORCES.

       Section 6(b) of the Presidential Threat Protection Act of 
     2000 (28 U.S.C. 566 note; Public Law 106-544) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``and'' after ``fiscal year 2002,''; and
       (2) by inserting ``, and $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2008 through 2012'' before the period.

     SEC. 508. INCREASED PROTECTION OF FEDERAL JUDGES.

       (a) Minimum Document Requirements.--
       (1) Minimum requirements.--For purposes of section 
     202(b)(6) of the REAL ID Act of 2005(49 U.S.C. 30301 note), a 
     State may, in the case of an individual described in 
     subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2), include in a 
     driver's license or other identification card issued to that 
     individual by the State, the address specified in that 
     subparagraph in lieu of the individual's address of principle 
     residence.
       (2) Individuals and information.--The individuals and 
     addresses referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:
       (A) In the case of a Justice of the United States, the 
     address of the United States Supreme Court.
       (B) In the case of a judge of a Federal court, the address 
     of the courthouse.
       (b) Verification of Information.--For purposes of section 
     202(c)(1)(D) of the REAL ID Act of 2005 (49 U.S.C. 30301 
     note), in the case of an individual described in subparagraph 
     (A) or (B) of subsection (a)(2), a State need only require 
     documentation of the address appearing on the individual's 
     driver's license or other identification card issued by that 
     State to the individual.

     SEC. 509. FEDERAL JUDGES FOR COURTS OF APPEALS.

       (a) In General.--Section 44(a) of title 28, United States 
     Code, is amended in the table--
       (1) in the item relating to the District of Columbia 
     Circuit, by striking ``12'' and inserting ``11''; and
       (2) in the item relating to the Ninth Circuit, by striking 
     ``28'' and inserting ``29''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection 
     (a)(2) shall take effect on January 21, 2009.

     SEC. 510. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE STUDY AND REPORT.

       (a) Study Required.--The Director of the National Institute 
     of Justice (referred to in this section as the ``Director'') 
     shall conduct a study to determine and compile the collateral 
     consequences of convictions for criminal offenses in the 
     United States, each of the 50 States, each territory of the 
     United States, and the District of Columbia.
       (b) Activities Under Study.--In conducting the study under 
     subsection (a), the Director shall identify any provision in 
     the Constitution, statutes, or administrative rules of each 
     jurisdiction described in that subsection that imposes 
     collateral sanctions or authorizes the imposition of 
     disqualifications, and any provision that may afford relief 
     from such collateral sanctions and disqualifications.
       (c) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Director shall submit to Congress 
     a report on the activities carried out under this section.
       (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include a compilation of citations, text, and short 
     descriptions of any provision identified under subsection 
     (b).
       (3) Distribution.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall be distributed to the legislature and chief executive 
     of each of the 50 States, each territory of the United 
     States, and the District of Columbia.
       (d) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Collateral consequence.--The term ``collateral 
     consequence'' means a collateral sanction or a 
     disqualification.
       (2) Collateral sanction.--The term ``collateral 
     sanction''--
       (A) means a penalty, disability, or disadvantage, however 
     denominated, that is imposed by law as a result of an 
     individual's conviction for a felony, misdemeanor, or other 
     offense, but not as part of the judgment of the court; and
       (B) does not include a term of imprisonment, probation, 
     parole, supervised release, fine, assessment, forfeiture, 
     restitution, or the costs of prosecution.
       (3) Disqualification.--The term ``disqualification'' means 
     a penalty, disability, or disadvantage, however denominated, 
     that an administrative agency, official, or a court in a 
     civil proceeding is authorized, but not required, to impose 
     on an individual convicted of a felony, misdemeanor, or other 
     offense on grounds relating to the conviction.

     SEC. 511. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.

       Section 2255 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
     designating the 8 undesignated paragraphs as subsections (a) 
     through (h), respectively.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Michigan (Mr. Conyers) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Michigan.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Michigan?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, this is important legislation passed in the House on a 
strong bipartisan basis to improve the security of Federal judges, 
other Federal court officers, and their families. It allows judges to 
redact from their public disclosure forms personal information about 
their families that could be used to harm them. It provides increased 
funding for judicial protective services furnished by the United States 
Marshals and for Federal witness protection programs. It prohibits 
publishing of personal information about a judge, law enforcement 
officer or witness with the intent to cause harassment, intimidation or 
a crime of violence.
  It enhances prison terms for assaults and other violent acts with 
intent to intimidate or interfere with judges and other Federal 
officers in performance of their official duties.
  The House passed this bill in July by voice vote under suspension. 
The Senate has now passed it with an amendment that makes a few 
refinements, all of which should be acceptable to the House. It takes a 
slightly different approach to the enhanced prison terms for assaults 
and violent acts against judges and other Federal officers.
  This legislation has been years in the making, and we are now finally 
able to send it to the President.
  I thank the members of the Judiciary Committee, which I am proud to 
be the chairman of, but particularly Judge Louie Gohmert, the new 
ranking member of the Crime Subcommittee, who introduced this bill 
originally in a previous Congress. I also send out congratulations to 
the chairman of the Crime Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, 
Bobby Scott of Virginia, and committee members Randy Forbes of Virginia 
and Anthony Weiner of New York. I strongly urge support of this 
legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.

[[Page 36224]]

  I rise in support of H.R. 660, the Court Security Improvement Act of 
2007, and I would like to commend the chairman of the Judiciary 
Committee, Chairman Conyers. We do disagree on issues often enough, but 
he is the consummate gentleman, he is the consummate chairman, and I 
have always found him to be fair, and appreciate his effort and his 
work in pushing this bill to make it become law.

                              {time}  1315

  This legislation then is truly bipartisan. It is bicameral. And it is 
to improve the security of those who administer our justice system, as 
well as those it serves, such as witnesses, victims and their families.
  Just this week the Senate approved this legislation, making several 
improvements to the bill. In recent years we've seen an increase in 
violence and threats against judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, law 
enforcement officers, and courthouse employees. It is critical that we 
address this violence in order to preserve the integrity of and public 
confidence in our justice system.
  As I explain to litigants in my courtroom as a judge, it may be that 
the courtroom ends up being the last bastion of civility in America, 
but we will have civility in our courtroom. There will be no violence. 
Everyone will come in regardless of what happened outside the 
courtroom. We will sit. We will stand when it's your turn, you will 
speak when it's your turn, and we will abide by the rules as we try to 
do here in the House.
  But the murders of family members of U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow 
and the brutal slayings of Judge Roland Barton and his court personnel 
in Atlanta are just a few of the many examples that underscore the need 
to better protect those who serve our judiciary and their families.
  According to the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts, almost 700 
threats a year are made against Federal judges. In numerous cases it 
has been necessary to assign Federal judges security details for fear 
of attack by terrorists, violent gangs, drug organizations, and 
disgruntled litigants. As a former State district judge, I'm familiar 
with such threats personally. Threats against me personally didn't 
actually worry me until they were made against my family.
  On looking at Federal law and the penalties, there was a disparity in 
the penalties for a crime against some family members of court 
personnel and Federal law enforcement which needed to be addressed. 
That's what caused me to go to work on this area last Congress, and I'm 
so pleased that this may actually become law in this Congress.
  The problem with witnesses being intimidated as well as threats 
toward witnesses has also continued to grow, particularly at the State 
and local level where few resources are available to protect witnesses, 
victims and their families.
  H.R. 660 improves coordination between the U.S. marshals and the 
Federal judiciary and bolsters security measures for Federal 
prosecutors handling dangerous trials against terrorists, drug 
organizations and organized crime figures.
  The bill also prohibits public disclosure on the Internet or other 
public sources of personal information about judges, law enforcement 
officers, victims and witnesses, and protects Federal judges and 
prosecutors from organized efforts to harass and intimidate them 
through false filing of liens or other encumbrances against personal 
property.
  Additionally, H.R. 660 provides grants to States and local courts to 
improve their security services.
  I want to thank the majority for working with us to include other 
important provisions that were not in the original legislation earlier 
in this Congress. Although there are still some provisions I would like 
to have seen, this bill includes so many excellent provisions. I do 
applaud the chairman and the others on the committee for the work. It 
is imperative that we continue to work together in a bipartisan effort 
to protect the judges, witnesses, courthouse personnel and law 
enforcement officers, as well as the witnesses and their families who 
are working to protect the rest of the country from criminal acts. 
Threats and violence require our action today to help them while they 
help us.
  At the State and local level, there is a dire need to provide basic 
security services in the courtroom and for witnesses. H.R. 660 
represents a significant first step in this area.
  Madam Speaker, I commend again Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member 
Smith as well as Subcommittee Chairman Scott and former Ranking Member 
Forbes for their continued leadership on this issue.
  As a former judge, I hope that we will be successful in getting this 
legislation across the finish line under your leadership.
  I urge my colleagues to support this critical bipartisan and 
bicameral measure.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  The importance of judicial security has been explained by Mr. 
Gohmert, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Crime and the floor 
manager today, and it was underscored by the murders of family members 
of a Chicago Federal judge in 2005, and then, less than 2 weeks later, 
the killings of a State judge, a court reporter and a sheriff's deputy 
in an Atlanta courthouse. These acts of violence, along with numerous 
others, led to the introduction of this measure before us now, H.R. 
660, the Court Security Improvement Act, which, among other things, 
seeks to improve judicial security, not just for court officers, but to 
safeguard judges and their families as well.
  Although the security of all Federal buildings increased in the wake 
of the 1995 April bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma 
City and the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the importance of 
judicial security was brought more particularly to the Nation's 
attention by reports of the murders of family members of a Chicago 
Federal judge and the killings less than 2 weeks later of a State 
judge, a court reporter, and a sheriff's deputy in an Atlanta 
courthouse. Another incident occurred in June of 2006 when a sniper 
shot a State judge in Reno, Nevada through the window of the judge's 
own office.
  Supreme Court Justices have also been intended targets of violence 
and death threats. Last year it was revealed that home-baked cookies 
infused with poison were mailed to all nine Justices in the year 2005. 
According to one media report, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was quoted 
as saying that each one contained enough poison to kill the entire 
membership of the court.
  All three branches of the Federal Government play unique roles in 
helping to ensure the safety of judges and the security of the Federal 
courts. In this joint effort, the role of Congress is to authorize 
programs, appropriate funds and provide oversight of judicial security.
  The Judicial Conference of the United States, the principal 
policymaking body of the Federal judiciary, governs the administration 
of the United States courts. The Conference's Committee on Judicial 
Security monitors the security of the judiciary, including the 
protection of court facilities and proceedings, judicial officers, and 
court staff at Federal court facilities and other locations, and makes 
policy recommendations to the Conference. As the central support entity 
for the judicial branch, the Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts implements Judicial Conference policies, including security 
measures.
  By law, the United States Marshals Service within the Department of 
Justice has primary responsibility for the security of the judiciary, 
including the safe conduct of court proceedings and the security of 
Federal judges and court personnel at facilities and off-site as well. 
They also provide protection details for those who are targets of 
threats and attacks, and provides other law enforcement services for 
the Department of Justice. Within the

[[Page 36225]]

Marshals Service, the Judicial Security Division is specifically 
responsible for providing security services and staff support to the 
Federal judiciary, including personal protection for judges and 
physical security of Federal courthouses.
  The USMS, the Marshals Service, conducts threat assessments when they 
are directed against individuals, including Federal judges, but also 
United States attorneys, court staff and family members, and then 
determines the level of security that is necessary for developing 
security plans and assigning the required resources to ensure their 
safety. A deputy marshal is required to attend any sessions of the 
court at the request of the presiding judge. A judicial security 
inspector, a senior level deputy marshal, is assigned to each judicial 
district to evaluate courthouse security and procedures and to 
coordinate scheduling, posting and other matters related to court 
security officers. The inspectors also conduct security surveys at 
judges' homes and recommend improvements.
  To enhance its capability to strengthen protection of the judiciary, 
the Marshals Service established the Office of Protective Intelligence 
in the year 2004 to review and analyze intelligence information about 
the security of those under Marshals Service protection. On a daily 
basis, the OPI issues security advisories, intelligence bulletins and 
many other things that I, although I would like to go into it, time 
does not permit the opportunity to explain in further detail.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. DeGette). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Conyers) that the House 
suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 
660.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________