Bills · HR 198
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 198Employment and training programsLaw enforcement administration and funding
SERVE Our Communities Act
INTRO JAN 3· LAST ACTION JAN 3
READING
2MIN
COSPONSORS
6
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenVoters should care about this bill because it aims to influence how local justice systems handle individuals accused of crimes, particularly concerning bail and pretrial release. If this bill becomes law, states and local governments might change their laws to allow judges more discretion to keep potentially dangerous individuals in custody before trial, with the incentive of federal funding. This could impact public safety by potentially reducing repeat offenses, but it could also affect individual liberties and the fairness of the justice system, especially for those who cannot afford bail.
The bill also encourages investments in law enforcement and community-police relations, which are significant concerns for many communities. By linking federal grants to specific policy choices, the bill could shift local approaches to crime prevention and justice administration, potentially changing who is released on bail, how many police officers are on the streets, and how communities interact with their police.
KEY PROVISIONS
4AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Establishes the SERVE Our Communities Grant Program, allowing the Attorney General to provide federal funds to states and local governments.
This creates a new funding stream to support state and local efforts related to crime prevention and public safety.
PROVISION 02
Requires eligible states and local governments to allow judges to consider the danger an individual poses to the community when determining bail or pretrial release.
This provision ties federal funding to specific judicial policies, aiming to increase judicial discretion in detaining individuals deemed a public safety risk before trial.
PROVISION 03
Requires eligible states and local governments to have taken steps to prevent repeat offenses by violent offenders, such as hiring more law enforcement or conducting public education programs.
This incentivizes states and localities to adopt specific strategies for crime reduction and community-police engagement as a condition for receiving federal funds.
PROVISION 04
Authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 through 2031 to fund the grant program.
This provision outlines the specific federal financial commitment intended to support the grant program over several years.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 6
R· New York
YRS IN OFFICE
9
BILLS LED
80
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 6 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSJAN 3
Introduced in House
JAN 3
Introduced in House
JAN 3
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 198
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Last actionJan 3, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025
House BillHR 198Employment and training programsLaw enforcement administration and funding
SERVE Our Communities Act
INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 3, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
2 min
COSPONSORS
6
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
