	Most Recent Developments

Conferees agreed to a FY2004 legislative branch appropriation of $3.548 billion contained in H.R. The President signed the bill into law on September 30, 2003, P.L. The act also contains $937.6 million for FY2003 emergency supplementalappropriations (for non-legislative branch programs). 2657). During markup on July 9, the Senate Committee on Appropriations added $2.044 billion in FY2003 emergency supplemental appropriations in a new title, Title III, of S. 1383 . 108-83 are those 
authorizing the recruitment and training of sworn positions for assignment to the Library of Congress, including 23 positions in FY2004;
restating a requirement that the Capitol Police notify and consult with the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations on plans that "result in theredistribution, reprogramming, or reallocation of FTE's or funds in a manner different fromthat presented in each budget year's appropriation hearings; position reports to theCommittees; and the final approved budget;" (14)
authorizing any counsel providing legal assistance and representation to the Capitol Police to appear in any federal or state court; 
directing that hazardous materials response team members assisting the Capitol Police be treated as members of the force in order to receive retirement benefits thatare comparable to benefits available to other federal firefighters and law enforcementpersonnel; 
providing for a "more effective and efficient" transfer of Library of Congress police to the Capitol Police force; (15)
redefining and extending the physical jurisdiction of the Capitol Police over traffic within and around the Capitol grounds to limit and prohibit trucks, referred to asthe "truck interdiction program;"
directing the Capitol Police Board to make regulations regarding "implementation, execution and maintenance" of the truck interdiction program and to submitits regulations to the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rulesand Administration for approval; and
directing that FY2004 basic training expenses of the Capitol Police at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center be paid from Department of Homeland Securityfunds. Among other activities and personnel costs theappropriation funds are two additional FTE positions. (40) GAOalso requested authority to use an additional estimated $6.0 million in revenues, which wasapproved by both houses in their versions of the FY2004 legislative funding bill. (50)
Government Printing Office. 108-11 , FY2003 EmergencyWartime Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Summary
On September 30, 2003, the President signed into law H.R. 2657 , the FY2004 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act ( P.L. 108-83 ). The Act contains $3.548 billion for FY2004legislative branch activities, and $937.6 million for FY2003 emergency supplemental appropriations(for executive and judicial programs).
During markup on July 9, 2003, the Senate Committee on Appropriations added $1.989 billion in FY2003 emergency supplemental appropriations to its version of the FY2004 legislative branchfunding bill, S. 1383 . It placed the funds in Title III of the bill. The Senate amendedthe supplemental to contain $2.0 billion, and conferees reduced the funding level to $937.6 million.
Among elements considered during discussions on the FY2004 budget were
the level of additional funds necessary to complete construction and furnishing of the Capitol Visitors' Center;
additional security enhancements within and around the Capitolcomplex;
the level of funding for activities of the Capitol Police;and
requests of the Capitol Police to expand their physical jurisdiction, establisha mounted police unit, authorize officers to carry guns (other than those used for official duty) whenoff-duty, and expand the law enforcement duties of officers outside the physical jurisdiction of theCapitol Police, including Members' home districts and states.
Key Policy Staff
Division abbreviations: GOV/FIN = Government and Finance