Debbie Smith Act of 2023
This bill reauthorizes funding for the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act program, extending the funding period from fiscal years 2019-2024 to 2024-2029. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories that process forensic DNA evidence to reduce backlogs. The key provision updates the timeframe for federal grants that help these agencies conduct DNA testing on unsolved cases. This ensures continued support for analyzing biological evidence in criminal investigations without creating new requirements.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2023
Committee Review
Nov 2023
Senate Passage
Nov 2023
House Passage
President
Introduced Feb 16, 2023
Last action Nov 6, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
9
Key actions
3
Committee
2
Nov 2, 2023
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
upper
Nov 2, 2023
Upper · Passed
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
upper
Nov 2, 2023
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
upper
Feb 16, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 16 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
John Cornyn
RRepublican
Co
Amy Klobuchar
DDemocratic
Co
Catherine Cortez Masto
DDemocratic
Co
Christopher A. Coons
DDemocratic
Co
Chuck Grassley
RRepublican
Co
Dianne Feinstein
DDemocratic
Co
Jeanne Shaheen
DDemocratic
Co
John Kennedy
RRepublican
Co
Joni Ernst
RRepublican
Co
Lindsey Graham
RRepublican
Co
Maria Cantwell
DDemocratic
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