S 546
118th Congress
Senate
Crime and Law Enforcement
Congressional oversight
Elementary and secondary education
Employee hiring
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
State and local government operations
User charges and fees
Recruit and Retain Act
Everywhere this bill has been
20 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 24, 2024
Signed by President.
May 24, 2024
Became Public Law No: 118-64.
May 20, 2024
Presented to President.
May 14, 2024
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 370 - 18 (Roll no. 196). (text: CR H3046-3047)
May 14, 2024
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3188)
May 14, 2024
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 14, 2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 546.
May 14, 2024
Mr. Hunt moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
May 14, 2024
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3046-3048)
May 14, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 27, 2023
Held at the desk.
Jul 27, 2023
Received in the House.
Jul 27, 2023
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Jul 26, 2023
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S3580-3582; text: CR S3581-3582)
Jul 26, 2023
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.(consideration: CR S3580-3582; text: CR S3581-3582)
Jun 8, 2023
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Durbin with an amendment. Without written report.
Jun 8, 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 86.
May 18, 2023
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Feb 28, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 28, 2023
Introduced in Senate
Votes taken on this bill
1
| Date | Chamber | What was voted on | Result | Yes–No | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 14, 2024 | House · vote #196 | On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass | Passed | 370–18 | See who voted → |
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Plain-English summary
Recruit and Retain Act
This act expands the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant program to support recruitment efforts by law enforcement agencies.
Specifically, the act expands the COPS program by
- allowing funds to be used for reducing application-related fees (e.g., fees for background checks, psychological evaluations, and testing); and
- directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award competitive grants to partnerships between law enforcement agencies and educational institutions (e.g., elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education) for recruiting activities, such as for career and job fairs.
The act requires DOJ to establish guidance for understaffed law enforcement agencies applying for COPS grants.
The Government Accountability Office must study and report on the effects of recruitment and attrition rates on federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies.
What's happening now
Became Public Law No: 118-64.
Related & companion bills
1
Bill text
5 versions
- Engrossed in Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Enrolled Bill Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Introduced in Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
- Public Law Formatted Text PDF United States Legislative Markup
- Reported to Senate Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML
Committees of jurisdiction
1
Cite this page
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 546: Recruit and Retain Act. 118th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-546/
"S. 546: Recruit and Retain Act." 118th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-546/.
S. 546, 118th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-546/.
[S. 546: Recruit and Retain Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/118-S-546/)