105th Congress faces diverse criminal justice agenda.

The 105th Congress, which began on Jan. 7, faces a diverse array of criminal justice issues. Some of these issues were left unresolved in 1996, and they are being joined by several new challenges.

There have been some changes since the last Congress in terms of the personnel on the committees who impact these issues. On the House side, Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) and Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) remain as chairman and ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Bill McCollom (R-Fla.) and Rep. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) again are leading the Crime Subcommittee. However, both are likely to be seeking higher offices in 1998.

The House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunity Subcommittee on Youth and Families will see a new chairman as well as ranking member. Rep. Frank Riggs (R-Calif.), a former policeman and school board member, takes over as subcommittee chair while Rep. Matthew Martinez (D-Calif.) assumes the ranking member position. The Senate Judiciary Committee will have the same chairman, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah). However, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) replaces Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) as the lead Democrat. Sen. Hatch has determined that all criminal justice issues will be handled by the full committee and not referred to subcommittee. Although there were some changes in personnel on both the House and Senate Appropriations Committee, the structure and outlook of the committees will change only slightly.

The following are some of the highlights:

Juvenile Justice - The reauthorization of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention was a major unfinished item of the last Congress. The question of how to address juvenile crime again will assume a high profile. House efforts will probably focus on the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunity. The Senate again will begin with last year's proposal by Sen. Thompson, which would restructure the mission of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Victims' Rights Constitutional Amendment - The proposed victims' rights constitutional amendment appears to be gaining momentum. Senators Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Feinstein (D-Calif.) are leading the effort. Action is expected prior to the end of 1997.

Prison Industries - There is increased attention to prison industries from both a rehabilitative and economic point of view.

Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) - Legislation will be introduced which modifies the PLRA which was passed in 1995.

Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) - Depending on the outcome of a pending Supreme Court case, an attempt may be made to change RFRA as it applies to correctional institutions.

Truth in Sentencing/Violent Offender Grants - The future of these construction money grants may well be brought up for consideration. They either may be modified or rolled into a larger block grant program.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Initiative - The proposal which restricted firearms possession for those convicted of domestic violence included active duty military and law enforcement personnel. Efforts likely will be made to change this provision.

Mandatory Drug Testing - There will be questions of how to implement the mandatory drug testing of inmates.

Technology Initiatives - There will be a number of technology issues, including radio bands and computer technology. There is increasing pressure from the states to allow the use of federal grant money for these purposes.

Social Security Incentive Payment - The Social Security Administration again will attempt to provide incentive payments to local jails for assistance in finding inmates receiving benefits.

Hearings on these as well as other issues most likely will take place during the coming months. Committee and floor action can be expected in the summer and fall. Work on the federal budget must be completed prior to the end of the fiscal year in October. The first term of the 105th Congress is expected to continue until December.

ACA will continue to be your eyes and ears on Capitol Hill. Over the course of the coming year, we will make every effort to keep you informed about what is going on as well as what you can do to impact the legislative process.

James Turpin is ACA's legislative liaison. He can be reached at [phone].