[House Report 108-303]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
108th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 108-303
======================================================================
REAUTHORIZATION OF MATCHING GRANT PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL SECURITY
_______
October 7, 2003.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Sensenbrenner, from the Committee on the Judiciary, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 2685]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on the Judiciary, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 2685) to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968 to reauthorize the Matching Grant Program for
School Security, having considered the same, report favorably
thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill do pass.
CONTENTS
Page
Purpose and Summary.............................................. 1
Background and Need for the Legislation.......................... 2
Hearings......................................................... 2
Committee Consideration.......................................... 2
Vote of the Committee............................................ 2
Committee Oversight Findings..................................... 2
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures........................ 2
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate........................ 3
Performance Goals and Objectives................................. 4
Constitutional Authority Statement............................... 4
Section-by-Section Analysis and Discussion....................... 4
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported............ 4
Markup Transcript................................................ 4
Purpose and Summary
H.R. 2685 would reauthorize the Secure Our Schools grant
program, which is currently authorized through fiscal year
2003. H.R. 2685 would extend the authorization through 2008.
The Secure Our Schools program provides matching grants to
State and local governments to help cover the cost of security
measures such as the placement and use of metal detectors,
locks, lighting, and other deterrent measures; security
assessments; security training for students and personnel;
coordination with local law enforcement; and other measures
that could significantly increase a school's security.
Background and Need for the Legislation
The Secure Our Schools program gives grant recipients the
opportunity to purchase school safety equipment and to
establish programs to enhance school safety efforts. The
program addresses a variety of existing and emerging school
security problems through responses that range from traditional
to innovative and that rely on both new technology and the
experience of school administrators and law enforcement
professionals.
The program is run through the Community Oriented Policing
Services Office. The COPS Office expanded its range of programs
in fiscal year 2002 to include Secure Our Schools. Secure Our
Schools distributed $5 million to help 68 schools in high-risk
areas respond to growing safety concerns. Grantees are required
to contribute a local match of 50 percent towards the total
cost of the approved grant project.
The Committee notes that it is currently working on a
broader reform of COPS Office programs to be included in the
Department of Justice Authorization bill, H.R. 3036. The Secure
Our Schools program may be included within that broader reform.
Hearings
No hearings were held on H.R. 2685 in the Committee on the
Judiciary.
Committee Consideration
On September 24, 2003, the Committee met in open session
and ordered favorably reported the bill H.R. 2685 without
amendment by voice vote, a quorum being present.
Vote of the Committee
In compliance with clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the Committee notes that there
were no recorded votes during the Committee's consideration of
H.R. 2685.
Committee Oversight Findings
In compliance with clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee reports that the
findings and recommendations of the Committee, based on
oversight activities under clause 2(b)(1) of rule X of the
Rules of the House of Representatives, are incorporated in the
descriptive portions of this report.
New Budget Authority and Tax Expenditures
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives is inapplicable because this legislation does
not provide new budgetary authority or increased tax
expenditures.
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
In compliance with clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee sets forth, with
respect to the bill, H.R. 2685, the following estimate and
comparison prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office under section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of
1974:
September 30, 2003.
Hon. F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr.,
Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 2685, a bill to
amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to
reauthorize the Matching Grant Program for School Security.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Mark
Grabowicz.
Sincerely,
Douglas Holtz-Eakin,
Director.
Enclosure.
H.R. 2685--A bill to amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets
Act of 1968 to reauthorize the Matching Grant Program for
School Security
Summary: H.R. 2685 would authorize the appropriation of $30
million for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008 for the
Department of Justice to make grants to state and local
governments to improve school security. CBO estimates that
implementing the bill would cost $113 million over the 2004-
2008 period, subject to appropriation of the authorized
amounts. Enacting H.R. 2685 would not affect direct spending or
revenues.
H.R. 2685 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would benefit state, local, and tribal governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact of H.R. 2685 is shown in the following table.
CBO assumes that the amounts authorized by the bill will be
appropriated near the start of each fiscal year and that
outlays will follow the historical rate of spending for similar
programs. The costs of this legislation fall within budget
function 750 (administration of justice).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of
dollars--
----------------------------------
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Authorization level.................. 30 30 30 30 30
Estimated outlays.................... 7 18 29 30 30
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 2685
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA. The bill would extend a matching grant program
for state, local, and tribal governments to provide improved
security at schools and on school grounds. Any costs to those
governments would be incurred voluntarily as conditions of
federal aid.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Mark Grabowicz. Impact
on State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Melissa Merrell.
Impact on the Private Sector: Paige Piper/Bach.
Estimate approved by: Peter H. Fontaine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Performance Goals and Objectives
H.R. 2685 reauthorizes funding for the Secure Our Schools
grant program. This program makes matching grants to States and
local governments to cover the cost of school security
mechanisms and the Committee expects that the grants will be
used to make schools safer.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee finds the authority for
this legislation in article I, section 8 of the Constitution.
Section-by-Section Analysis and Discussion
Section 1. Reauthorization Of Matching Grant Program For
School Security. This section extends the authorization for
this program--which is set to expire at the end of fiscal year
2003--until the end of fiscal year 2008.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 2705 OF THE OMNIBUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 1968
SEC. 2705. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
part $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001 through [2003]
2008.
Markup Transcript, Wednesday, September 24, 2003
Pursuant to notice, I now call up the bill H.R. 2685 to
amend the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to
reauthorize the Matching Grant Program for School Security, for
purposes of markup and move its favorable recommendation to the
House.
Without objection, the bill will be considered as read and
open for amendment at any point.
[H.R. 2685 follows:]
Chairman Sensenbrenner. We do need to move along. Are there
amendments?
Mr. Conyers. I move the previous question.
Chairman Sensenbrenner. If there are no amendments, a
reporting quorum is present. Those in favor of reporting the
bill favorably will say aye? Opposed, no?
The ayes appear to have it. The ayes have it, and the
motion to report favorably is agreed to.
Without objection, all members may introduce statements
into the record. Without objection, the chairman is authorized
to move to go to conference pursuant to House Rules. Without
objection, the staff is directed to make any technical and
conforming changes, and all members will be given 2 days as
provided by the rules in which to submit additional,
dissenting, supplemental, or minority views.
Statement of John Conyers, Jr.
I am a strong supporter of the bill before us today, legislation
that amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Street Act of 1968 to
reauthorize the ``Matching Grant Program for School Security.''
The level of gun (and other acts of random) violence occurring at
our schools is increasing at an astonishing rate.
--March 24, 1998, four girls and a teacher were shot to death and
10 other wounded in Jonesboro, Arkansas, when two teenage boys, ages 11
and 13, opened fire from the woods.
--December 1, 1997, three students were killed and five others
wounded in West Paducah, Kentucky by a 14 year old student at Heath
High School.
--And we all remember the tragic events that occurred on April 20,
1999 in Littleton, Colorado. On that day, two young men wearing long,
black trench coats opened fire in a suburban high school, injuring 20
students, killing as many as 15.
H.R. 2685 seeks to address this problem. It reauthorizes a
voluntary matching grant program for school security. Fifty percent of
the costs of providing increased security is covered by the federal
government, while the other fifty percent is paid for by the
participating state, locality, or Indian tribe.
The bill specifically directs the Attorney General to make grants
($30 million for each of the fiscal years 2004-2008) to states, units
of local government, and Indian tribes for school security. The grants
will be distributed directly to these entities. The grants may be used
for the following purposes:
placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting,
and other deterrent measures;
security assessments;
security training of personnel and students;
coordination with local law enforcement;
any other measure that the Director determines may
provide a significant improvement in security.
Last year, the ``Secure Our Schools'' program distributed $5
million in grants that helped 68 schools in 27 states purchase and
implement school security measures. These measures included the
installation of new metal detectors and security cameras, training
personnel in security issues, and working with local law enforcement on
coordinated efforts designed to keep schools safe and secure.
While we haven't met with much success in our past efforts to keep
guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, hopefully the steps we
are taking today will prevent innocent children from becoming future
victims. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this commonsense
proposal.
______
Statement of Howard Coble
In the past decade we have been terrified by images on the news of
violence in our schools. We have witnessed school shootings across this
country from Littleton, CO to Paducah, KY, and now just a few days ago,
another attempt, in Denver, CO. It seems no school system and no city
is immune to violence in its schools. Despite recent declines in the
victimization rates at school, students age 12 through 18 were victims
of about 700,000 violent crimes and 1.2 million crimes of theft at
school in the year 2000. Violence, theft, bullying, drugs, and firearms
remain problems in many schools throughout the country indicating that
more remains to be done to make our schools safer.
H.R. 2685, as introduced, would reauthorize the Secure Our Schools
grant program from 2003 until 2008. The Secure Our Schools program
provides grants to help cover the cost of security measures such as the
placement and use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other
deterrent measures; security assessments; security training for
students and personnel; coordination with local law enforcement; and
other measures that could significantly increase the school's security.
This legislation and the program it reauthorizes cannot solve the
problem of school violence; however, it is one additional measure we
can give to the schools to help them prevent violence and keep the
focus in the schools on learning. The Secure Our Schools (SOS) program
gives grant recipients the opportunity to establish and enhance school
safety equipment and programs to continue to enhance school safety
efforts within their communities. The program addresses a variety of
existing and emerging problems relating to school security, through
responses that range from traditional to innovative, and rely on new
technology and the experience of school administrators and law
enforcement professionals.
In fiscal year 2002, the program distributed $5 million to help 68
schools in high risk areas respond to growing safety concerns. Grantees
are required to contribute a local match of 50 percent towards the
total cost of the approved grant project. The program is run through
the Community Oriented Policing System, which expanded its range of
programs in fiscal year 2002 to include Secure Our Schools. Although I
fully support the markup of this legislation today and the
reauthorization of this program, I am also aware that the COPS program
is under discussion as one of the items we may include in the DOJ
reauthorization bill and this program could be included in that vehicle
as well.
I thank my colleagues and urge your support of this legislation.
______
Statement of Robert C. ``Bobby'' Scott
Thank you, Mr. Chairman for holding this markup on H.R. 2685. In
the 106th Congress, in the wake of the Columbine and other school
violence incidents, we passed the ``Secure Our Schools Act'', to
provide a 50% matching grant program to States, units of local
government, and Indian tribes to help pay for improved school security,
including the placement and use of metal detectors and other deterrent
measures in schools and on school grounds. The bill was sponsored by
Congressman Steve Rothman of New Jersey, then a member of this
Committee, along with then Chairman Hyde, Ranking Members Conyers,
myself and 7 other members of this Committee. The program has proven to
be very useful helping to provide for safer schools.
The authorization for the program ends this year. The need for
security in our schools continues, including the need to upgrade
existing equipment to obtain more effective units. H.R. 2685 continues
the program and extends its authorization to 2008. I urge my colleagues
to support the bill.
______
Statement of Sheila Jackson-Lee
Mr. Chairman and Mr. Ranking Member, thank you, once again, for
your efforts to coordinate this markup hearing on the bills that we
have before the Committee. I was an original co-sponsor of this bill,
and I therefore support this bill, H.R. 2685, to reauthorize the
Marching Grant Program for School Security, which would otherwise
expire at the end of Fiscal Year 2003. Reauthorizing this grant program
to the end of Fiscal Year 2008 is both reasonable and necessary for the
pressing needs of our high-risk schools.
Under the ``Secure Our Schools Act,'' or the Omnibus Crime Control
and Safe Streets Act of 1968 codified as 42 U.S.C. Sec. 3789d,
municipalities can apply for funds to install metal detectors, locks,
improved lighting, and other deterrent measures that will help keep
students safe. Additionally, resources can be used for school security
assessments, security training of personnel and students, and for
improved coordination with local law enforcement officials. The
``Security Our Schools Act'' is a voluntary, matching grant program
that calls for the federal government to pay for 50 percent of the
security measures, with the state or local government covering the
remainder of the cost.
The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 is
noteworthy as the first federal program designed specifically as a
block grant. It was passed during the Johnson Administration to address
concerns over rising crime rates and an abundance of civil
disturbances. It also reflected President Johnson's policy beliefs that
the federal government should do more to assist state and local law
enforcementagencies. Funds were allocated to states on a per capita
formula to be used in any purpose associated with reducing crime.
The reauthorization of this bill to continue funding of the Secure
Our Schools grant program will provide benefits that will potentially
alleviate problems in Houston, Texas as well. In my Congressional
District, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) is the largest
school district in Texas, made up of two contiguous school feeder
patterns and serving 212,000 students. The HISD includes students from
90 countries, of whom 53% are Hispanic, 34% are African American, 11%
are Caucasian, and 2% are Asian Americans. There are 59,000 limited-
English-proficient students, a population larger than 90% of all school
districts in the nation. Unfortunately, the school district is burdened
by poverty, juvenile crime, violent behavior, delinquency, truancy,
alcohol and drug use, and other adverse social conditions. Student
involvement with alcohol and drugs is over-represented at every grade
level. Even at the elementary school level, rates of marijuana use
doubled from 2% in 1996 to 4% in 1998. The school district also has
high rates of school violence and victimization, suspensions, drop-out,
truancy, and expulsions. Therefore, it is vital that the high-risk
schools in Houston's HISD have access to the aid provided by the
``Secure Our Schools'' grant program, or H.R. 2685.
Mr. Chairman and Mr. Ranking Member, thank you for this
opportunity.
The business for which this markup has been called having
been completed, the committee stands adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 12:32 p.m., the committee was adjourned.]