Today, with Senate approval two of Alaska Congressman Don Young’s bills are going to the President’s desk for signature. Congressman Young introduced H.R. 1417, the National Law Enforcement Museum Exhibits Act, and H.R. 3398, the REAL ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act, during the 115th Congress.

“These are two unique bills which address different needs. I’m glad to see my colleagues in both the House and the Senate approved these measures,” said Congressman Young. “When Congress can pass meaningful legislation that solves real concerns, I believe that is a good sign. These two pieces of legislation will help do just that and I thank my colleagues for their support.”

“On behalf of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) citizens living in the United States of America, I extend to the sponsors and supporters of the REAL ID modification bill in both the House and the Senate our sincere appreciation and warm thank you,” said Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United States, Akillino Harris Susaia. “Your steadfast support enabled the passage of this bill which will make life much easier for our citizens to obtain state identification documents and drivers licenses.”

H.R. 3398 passed out of the House on September 26, 2018 and H.R. 1417 passed out of the House on May 15, 2018, both by unanimous consent.

Background:

H.R. 3398, the REAL ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act, amends the Real ID Act of 2005. When Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005, no reference was made to the Freely Associated States, the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Republic of Palau (FAS) as among those classes having “lawful status” for the purpose of the Act. Instead, reference was made in the definition of “State” to the “Trust Territories of the Pacific Islands” (TTPI), an entity that has not existed since 1994. While that reference served no operative purpose, it did show Congressional intent to include FAS citizens under the Act. This legislation aims to solve that issue. The REAL ID Act Modification for Freely Associated States Act would amend Real ID Act of 2005 to permit Freely Associated States (FAS) to meet identification requirements under such Act.

H.R. 1417, the National Law Enforcement Museum Exhibits Act amends the National Law Museum Enforcement Act to allow the National Law Enforcement Museum (NLEM) to acquire, possess, collect, ship, transport, import, and display firearms only for use in the NLEM. In 2000, Congress passed the National Law Enforcement Museum Act of 2000 to establish the NLEM. The Museum was established to honor and commemorate the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers in the United States which opened in Fall 2018. The NLEM showcases interactive exhibits to allow visitors to experience the life of law enforcement officers. Under current law, the NLEM is limited in the types of firearms it can acquire, possess, collect, ship, transport, import or display.