The DOJ has recently opened several new grant applications. Find out how to apply and about all the deadlines. Read More
PORAC Testifies in Support of Reauthorizing Violence Against Women Act
PORAC President Brian Marvel submitted testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 20, 2018, in support of Reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. Read More
Opioid Policy Steering Committee
The Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) appreciates this opportunity to provide comments to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on questions relevant to FDA’s newly established Opioid Policy Steering Committee (OPSC) and how FDA can or should use its authorities to address this crisis. Read More
PORAC Testimony on Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing relating to Federal Efforts to Combat the Opioid Crisis. PORAC is pleased to share that Congresswoman Mimi Walters submitted our prepared testimony for the record and referenced PORAC in the hearing. Read More
Fiscal Year 2017 Omnibus Spending Bill Passed By Congress
PORAC is pleased to report that the Fiscal Year 2017 omnibus spending bill passed by Congress today generally maintains—and in some cases increases—funding for programs that support the efforts of law enforcement. Read More
LEGISLATIVE DAY on May 3rd
The annual Legislative Day at the State Capitol is an opportunity for PORAC’s leadership to meet and strategize with decision makers who support law enforcement issues and work on legislation important to PORAC and its members. [shareprints gallery_id=”4945″ gallery_type=”blog” gallery_position=”pos_center” gallery_width=”width_100″ image_size=”large” image_padding=”4″ theme=”light” image_hover=”popout” lightbox_type=”slide” titles=”true” captions=”true” descriptions=”true” comments=”true” sharing=”true”] Read More
Lawmakers Address Law Enforcement Needs as Summer Approaches
DARRYL NIRENBERG Partner JASON ABEL Of Counsel EVA RIGAMONTI Associate Steptoe & Johnson LLP May started slowly on Capitol Hill, with the House and Senate in recess during the first week. But when the session resumed, lawmakers continued to address matters that PORAC members raised during last month’s successful fly-in, including encryption, digital security, […] Read More
2016 CALIFORNIA MEMORIAL CEREMONY Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
On May 1 and 2, officers, families and law enforcement supporters from across the state gathered at the Capitol in Sacramento for the 40th annual California Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony. The solemn and moving event honored the four officrs killed in the line of duty in 2015 (plus one from a prior year), as well […] Read More
PORAC Advocates in D.C. During April Fly-In
DARRYL NIRENBERG Partner JASON ABEL Of Counsel EVA RIGAMONTI Associate Steptoe & Johnson LLP Overview It has been a very busy spring on Capitol Hill for lawmakers and PORAC. PORAC members visited Washington, D.C., during the week of April 11 to discuss important law enforcement-related issues with members of Congress. PORAC met with over 30 […] Read More
PORAC Opposes H.R. 699 / E-Mail Privacy Act
On behalf of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (“PORAC”), the
nation’s largest statewide public safety association, representing over 66,000 members in
California and Nevada, I write to oppose H.R. 699, the “the Email Privacy Act,” which seeks to
update the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (“ECPA”) for the digital age.
PORAC supports reforming ECPA and acknowledges the need for renewing this
outdated law, but H.R. 699 is not the answer. The ability to access electronic communications is
critical for law enforcement to ensure public safety efficiently and effectively. As written, H.R.
699 places an undue burden on law enforcement’s ability to gather digital evidence, providing Read More
Presidential Primaries and Supreme Court Drama
DARRYL NIRENBERG Partner JASON ABEL Of Counsel EVA RIGAMONTI Associate Steptoe & Johnson LLP March saw a flurry of activity in Washington, D.C., as policymakers delved into the appropriations process — in which Congress sets the discretionary funding for various activities, including justice programs, as well as the funding for general government operations. In […] Read More
D.C. Update: The Budget and Presidential Primaries
DARRYL NIRENBERG Partner JASON ABEL Of Counsel EVA RIGAMONTI Associate Steptoe & Johnson LLP Overview After a snowstorm shut down Washington, D.C., for a week, Congress finally settled in to debate comprehensive energy reform and kick off the appropriations process. In the midst of these legislative concerns, the presidential primary season got off to […] Read More
A Victory on Law Enforcement Funding
DARRYL NIRENBERG Partner JASON ABEL Of Counsel EVA RIGAMONTI Associate Steptoe & Johnson LLP Following a productive fall, lawmakers returned from the holiday recess with renewed momentum to address criminal justice reform. Supporters of the bipartisan Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2015 (S. 2123) are hopeful that it will reach the Senate floor […] Read More
Legislative Frenzy Before the Holidays
DARRYL NIRENBERG Partner JASON ABEL Of Counsel EVA RIGAMONTI Associate Steptoe & Johnson LLP Policymakers in Washington, D.C., watched in horror as the attack unfolded in San Bernardino. In the aftermath, while the attack prompted debates over how best to address gun safety, immigration and terrorism, there was one point of agreement: The law enforcement […] Read More
PORAC Meets With Key Policymakers
DARRYL NIRENBERG Partner JASON ABEL Of Counsel EVA RIGAMONTI Associate Steptoe & Johnson LLP Lawmakers returned from the August recess and dove headfirst into the fall agenda. Despite having only 12 legislative days in September, they faced several pressing issues, including temporary funding measures to avoid a government shutdown, the nuclear agreement with Iran […] Read More
Gearing Up for a Busy Fall
DARRYL NIRENBERG Partner JASON ABEL Of Counsel EVA RIGAMONTI Associate Steptoe & Johnson LLP Following a hectic July when Congress passed a three-month extension of federal highway funding and also reviewed the pending nuclear agreement with Iran, lawmakers returned to their home states and districts for the August recess (the House recessed on July […] Read More
Congress Active on Law Enforcement Matters
May, which included National Police Week, was a busy month on Capitol Hill, with lawmakers focused on a range of issues, including the federal budget, Iran sanctions and trade. In the wake of recent high-profile incidents in both Baltimore, Maryland, and North Charleston, South Carolina, criminal justice issues have remained at the forefront of national attention — and lawmakers are increasingly weighing in on police and community relations matters, including police militarization and the use of body-worn cameras (BWCs). Read More