Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa Criminal Justice Support Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5640

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-04-06T16:34:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa Criminal Justice Support Act (H.R. 5640) aims to expand federal criminal justice funding and support to certain U.S. territories by updating the legal definition of "State" in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (OCCSSA). The OCCSSA is a federal law that provides grants for state and local law enforcement, crime prevention, and justice programs. This bill ensures that the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa can fully access these resources, promoting equitable treatment with the mainland U.S. states and other included jurisdictions.

Key Provisions

• Short Title: The act is officially named the "Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa Criminal Justice Support Act."
• Amendment to Definition of "State": Under Section 901(a)(2) of Title I of the OCCSSA (codified at 34 U.S.C. § 10251(a)(2)), the bill removes specific, potentially redundant language referring to the "Northern Mariana Islands" and the "Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands" and replaces it with a simplified inclusion of "Northern Mariana Islands." (Note: The provided bill text appears truncated but aligns with the short title's intent to also incorporate American Samoa into the definition, allowing both territories to qualify as "States" for funding purposes.)

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The OCCSSA's definition of "State" currently includes the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa, but treats the Northern Mariana Islands separately or with limitations (e.g., as a commonwealth with distinct status). This amendment streamlines and expands the definition to explicitly and uniformly include the Northern Mariana Islands alongside American Samoa, eliminating any prior exclusions or special conditions that may have restricted their eligibility for full federal grants.
• No new programs are created; instead, it clarifies eligibility to integrate these territories into the existing framework without altering core funding formulas or requirements.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which administers OCCSSA grants, will likely see an increase in applications and fund distribution to territorial law enforcement agencies, potentially requiring minor administrative adjustments to track and allocate resources.
• On Citizens: Residents of the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa could benefit from enhanced local crime-fighting efforts, such as improved policing, victim services, and community safety programs, leading to better access to federal aid that was previously limited or unavailable.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it reinforces U.S. commitments to its territories in the Pacific, which could indirectly support regional stability and cooperation with neighboring nations on issues like transnational crime.
• Overall, the change promotes fiscal equity by directing federal funds (potentially millions in grants annually) to underserved areas without increasing the total federal budget.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Territorial Governments and Law Enforcement: Officials and agencies in the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, who gain direct access to OCCSSA funding for criminal justice initiatives.
• Federal Agencies: Primarily the DOJ's Bureau of Justice Assistance, responsible for grant oversight.
• U.S. Citizens in Territories: Approximately 55,000 residents in the Northern Mariana Islands and 50,000 in American Samoa, who may experience improved public safety services.
• Congressional Representatives: Sponsors like Rep. King-Hinds and Rep. Radewagen, representing territorial interests, and the House Judiciary Committee overseeing implementation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: This amendment aligns with the U.S. Constitution's Territory Clause (Article IV, Section 3), which allows Congress to govern territories, by extending uniform federal benefits without creating new entitlements. It avoids challenges to territorial sovereignty by treating them equivalently to states for funding purposes.
• Constitutional: Reinforces equal protection principles under the Fifth Amendment by addressing disparities in federal support for U.S. citizens in territories, who lack full voting rights but deserve comparable services.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan support for U.S. territories (introduced in the 119th Congress), potentially setting a precedent for including other areas like minor outlying islands in future legislation. It may encourage advocacy from Pacific territories for broader federal integration, though it does not alter their non-voting status in Congress. No major controversies are evident, as the bill focuses on administrative clarification rather than substantive policy shifts.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]

Cosponsors (1)

Del. Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman [R-AS-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-30: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa Criminal Justice Support Act — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (2 pages)