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H.R.404 / 105th Congress

To amend the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the transfer to State and local governments of certain surplus property for use for law enforcement or public safety purposes.

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 9, 1997

Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to authorize the transfer to State and local governments of surplus real and related personal property needed for use by the transferee or grantee for a law enforcement or public safety purpose. Applies the law to prior transfers and conveyances.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-43] · R–CA

Committees

  • Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
  • Oversight and Government Reform Committee
60 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

  2. Received in the Senate.

  3. The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.

  4. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  5. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  6. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  7. Considered as unfinished business.

  8. At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Cummings objected to the Yea - Nay vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.

  9. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

  10. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9922-9923, H9983)

  11. Mr. Horn moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  12. Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  13. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  14. Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

  15. Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  16. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  17. Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology.

  18. Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight.

  19. Introduced in House

  20. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.404 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.404 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.404 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.404 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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