the Defining Humanitarian Demining Assistance Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4190
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-10-15T08:05:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 4190: Defining Humanitarian Demining Assistance Act of 2025
Purpose
This legislation amends existing federal law to update and clarify the definitions of humanitarian demining assistance and stockpiled conventional munitions assistance provided by the U.S. military. The goal is to align these definitions more closely with international standards for training and support activities.
Key Provisions
- The bill replaces the current definitions in subsection (e) of section 407 of title 10, United States Code.
- Humanitarian demining assistance is defined to cover:
- Detection and clearance of landmines, unexploded explosive ordnance, and other explosive remnants of war.
- Related activities including education, training, technical assistance, infrastructure development, and equipment use, based on International Mine Action Standards. This includes developing national standards, standard operating procedures, and explosive safety measures.
- Stockpiled conventional munitions assistance is defined to cover:
- Training and support for the disposal, demilitarization, physical security, and lifecycle management of stockpiles of explosive ordnance, small arms, and light weapons (including man-portable air-defense systems).
- Related activities using International Ammunition Technical Guidelines, such as capacity building for foreign security institutions through education, training, technical assistance, infrastructure development, equipment, explosive safety, and development of national standards and procedures.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- The amendment expands and specifies the scope of both terms by incorporating references to international standards (International Mine Action Standards and International Ammunition Technical Guidelines).
- It adds explicit inclusions for activities like national standards development, standard operating procedures, and explosive safety, which were not detailed in the prior definitions.
- No other sections of law are altered; the change is limited to these definitional updates.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The Department of Defense may gain clearer authority to conduct and fund a broader range of training and support programs, potentially streamlining operations for humanitarian assistance efforts.
- Citizens: U.S. taxpayers could see indirect effects through adjusted military spending on these programs, though no direct changes to domestic policies are involved.
- International relations: Assistance to foreign countries may become more standardized, potentially improving coordination with global demining and munitions management efforts but requiring alignment with international guidelines.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Department of Defense and Armed Forces personnel involved in training and support programs.
- Foreign security institutions and governments receiving U.S. assistance for demining or munitions management.
- International organizations and standards bodies referenced in the definitions, such as those setting mine action and ammunition guidelines.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- This represents a routine exercise of Congress's authority under Article I to regulate the armed forces through amendments to title 10 of the U.S. Code, with no apparent conflicts with constitutional provisions.
- The updates could affect program eligibility and implementation without introducing new funding mechanisms or enforcement requirements.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-26: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-06-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- the Defining Humanitarian Demining Assistance Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-26 — PDF (4 pages)