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S 1856 115th Congress Senate Armed Forces and National Security Accounting and auditing Congressional oversight Department of Homeland Security Drug trafficking and controlled substances Emergency planning and evacuation Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Firearms and explosives Government buildings, facilities, and property Government information and archives Government studies and investigations Law enforcement administration and funding Law enforcement officers Marine and inland water transportation Military civil functions Military education and training Military facilities and property Navigation, waterways, harbors State and local government operations Terrorism

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

Introduced: September 25, 2017 Introduced by: Paul, Rand Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 25, 2017
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Sep 25, 2017
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

This bill limits the authority of the Department of Defense (DOD) to transfer excess DOD property, including small arms and ammunition, to federal and state agencies for law enforcement activities.

The bill prohibits the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from using preparedness grants to buy, maintain, or alter: (1) specified protective, tactical, or explosives equipment, vehicles, canines, or firearms or ammunition of .50 caliber or higher; and (2) body armor or ballistic helmets and shields unless the grantee certifies to FEMA that the equipment will not be used for riot suppression.

This bill prohibits the use of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds for the purchase, maintenance, alteration, or operation of lethal weapons or less-lethal weapons.

What's happening now September 25, 2017

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 4
D
Van Hollen, Chris
Maryland · Sep 4, 2018
 D
Warren, Elizabeth
Massachusetts · Feb 26, 2018
 D
Schatz, Brian
Hawaii · Sep 25, 2017
 D
Wyden, Ron
Oregon · Sep 25, 2017
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1856: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-1856/
MLA
"S. 1856: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-1856/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1856, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-1856/.
Markdown link
[S. 1856: Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-S-1856/)
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