Overview

Title

Requiring Members of the House of Representatives to serve one shift in a passenger seat of a law enforcement vehicle observing the work day of a local law enforcement officer once during each term as a Member of the House, and for other purposes.

ELI5 AI

The "Ride-Along Resolution" wants House members to spend a day working alongside a police officer in their area at least once while they are in office. If they don't do this, their names will be made public.

Summary AI

H. RES. 1023, known as the "Ride-Along Resolution," requires that each Member of the House of Representatives participate in a ride-along with a local law enforcement officer within their congressional district at least once during their term. The resolution mandates that the Committee on House Administration create regulations to enforce this requirement. If a Member fails to comply, the Committee on Ethics will publish their name on a public list and announce their non-compliance in the Congressional Record. This resolution applies to the current 118th Congress and all future sessions.

Published

2024-02-20
Congress: 118
Session: 2
Chamber: HOUSE
Status: Introduced in House
Date: 2024-02-20
Package ID: BILLS-118hres1023ih

Bill Statistics

Size

Sections:
2
Words:
453
Pages:
3
Sentences:
10

Language

Nouns: 145
Verbs: 31
Adjectives: 19
Adverbs: 5
Numbers: 16
Entities: 34

Complexity

Average Token Length:
4.45
Average Sentence Length:
45.30
Token Entropy:
4.52
Readability (ARI):
25.80

AnalysisAI

The Ride-Along Resolution proposes that every Member of the U.S. House of Representatives participate in a ride-along with a local law enforcement officer in their district at least once during their term. This initiative aims to foster a greater understanding of the challenges faced by law enforcement in their communities.

General Summary of the Bill

The resolution requires each Member of the House to observe a local law enforcement officer's workday from the passenger seat of a policing vehicle. This experience is often termed a "ride-along." The bill is designed to be an ongoing requirement, applying to the current 118th Congress and all future sessions. If Members do not comply with this requirement, their names will be publicly disclosed by the House Committee on Ethics.

Significant Issues

Key issues pertain to the details and impacts of this resolution. Firstly, there lacks a specific definition of what constitutes a "shift" during a ride-along, which may lead to inconsistencies and misunderstandings among Members regarding compliance. Secondly, the resolution does not clarify which law enforcement agencies or officers qualify for these ride-alongs. This could result in variations in the quality and nature of interactions that Members experience. Lastly, the consequences for failing to fulfill this requirement appear limited to public disclosure, raising questions about the effectiveness of such a measure in ensuring accountability.

Broad Public Impact

This measure could provide Members of Congress with firsthand insights into the daily operations and challenges law enforcement officers face. This awareness may influence future legislation and policy decisions impacting public safety and criminal justice. Citizens may perceive their representatives as more informed and empathetic regarding local law enforcement issues, potentially fostering increased trust in government.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Law Enforcement Officers: Officers who interact with Members during ride-alongs might have the opportunity to directly communicate their needs and challenges. This direct line to federal lawmakers could lead to more tailored legislation benefiting the law enforcement sector.

House Members: Members gain real-world experience and insights, which could enhance their understanding and advocacy for law enforcement-related matters. However, fulfilling this requirement could also be seen as a compulsory task that might not align with their legislative priorities or schedules.

General Public: By potentially bridging the gap between lawmakers and law enforcement, this resolution could lead to more informed and balanced policy-making. On the downside, if the execution of this requirement is inconsistent, it may not yield the desired outcomes of understanding and improved legislation.

In summary, while the Ride-Along Resolution seeks to promote a deeper connection between lawmakers and local law enforcement, the bill's effectiveness will largely depend on how the issues of clarification and accountability are addressed.

Issues

  • The term 'ride-along' could be clarified, specifically regarding what qualifies as a 'shift' for the purposes of this requirement, which is important to ensure uniform understanding and compliance among Members of the House. (Section 2)

  • The resolution could be more specific on the types of law enforcement agencies or officers that qualify for the ride-along, which is significant for ensuring meaningful participation and interaction with local law enforcement. (Section 2)

  • The consequences of not participating in the ride-along are limited to public shaming; consider whether stronger accountability measures should be in place, as the current measures might not adequately incentivize compliance. (Section 2)

Sections

Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.

1. Short title Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

The first section of this resolution states that it can be referred to as the "Ride-Along Resolution."

2. Requirement for Members of the House of Representatives to participate in one ride-along during each term of Congress Read Opens in new tab

Summary AI

Each Member of the House of Representatives must go on a ride-along with a local law enforcement officer in their district at least once during their term. If they fail to do so, their name will be made public by the Committee on Ethics, and this requirement starts with the 118th Congress and continues with future Congresses.