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H.R.4695 / 103rd Congress

To amend title 39, United States Code, to provide for procedures under which persons wrongfully arrested by the Postal Inspection Service on narcotics charges may seek compensation from the United States Postal Service.

Executive Comment Requested from OMB, Post Office - Immediate Office.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jun 30, 1994

Requires the Judicial Officer of the U.S. Postal Service to establish procedures under which any individual arrested by the Postal Inspection Service (PIS) (pursuant to any investigation in which a paid confidential informant was used) after December 31, 1983, for violating a law prohibiting the use, sale, or possession of a controlled substance, who is not convicted of such offense, may seek compensation after exhausting all administrative and judicial procedures otherwise available. Requires a petition to be considered by a panel of three administrative law judges. Authorizes the panel to award such amount to a petitioner as it considers appropriate (up to $500,000) to compensate the individual for any harm or injury suffered by the petitioner or his or her spouse or child resulting from the petitioner's wrongful arrest. Requires the compensation to be: (1) payable out of the Postal Service Fund; and (2) computed taking into account the nature and degree of the harm or injury suffered, the degree to which the PIS failed to take reasonable precautions to prevent any such wrongful arrest from occurring, any history or pattern of similar wrongful arrests by PIS, and any compensation awarded in any earlier proceeding in connection with the petitioner's arrest. Exempts the panel's determinations from administrative or judicial review.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Clay, William (Bill) [D-MO-1] · D–MO

Committees

  • Post Office and Civil Service Committee
6 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Executive Comment Requested from OMB, Post Office - Immediate Office.

  2. Referred to the Subcommittee on Census, Statistics and Postal Personnel.

  3. Referred to the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.

  4. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1386)

  5. Introduced in House

  6. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Feb 6, 2024. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.4695 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.4695 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.4695 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.4695 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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