Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “State and Local Law Enforcement Hatch Act Reform Act of 2013”.
State and Local Law Enforcement Hatch Act Reform Act of 2013
A BILL
To amend title 5, United States Code, to reform the provisions of law commonly referred to as the Hatch Act.
Sec. 2 Political activities
Section 1502 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(d) Subsection (a)(1) does not prohibit a sheriff from participating in political campaigns for, or endorsing, political candidates running for elective office by—
“(1) attending or speaking at political campaign rallies or events;
“(2) holding or sponsoring political fundraisers; or
“(3) appearing on political advertisements, including print, radio, television, or any other form of advertising.”
Sec. 3 Statute of limitations
Section 1504 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
by inserting “(a) In general.—” before “When”; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(b) Statute of limitations for law enforcement officers—With respect to paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 1502(a), the Special Counsel may not present any charges against a law enforcement officer under subsection (a) after the end of the 6-month period beginning on the later of—
“(1) the date of the alleged violation of paragraph (1) or (3) of section 1502(a), as the case may be; or
“(2) the date of the enactment of the State and Local Law Enforcement Hatch Act Reform Act of 2013.”
Sec. 4 Definitions
Section 1501 of title 5, United States Code, is amended—
in paragraph (3), by striking “and” after the semicolon;
in paragraph (4), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and
by adding at the end the following:
“(5) “sheriff” means an individual who holds the elected Office of Sheriff, as defined by State constitution or State statute, of a county, town, township, parish, village, or other general purpose political subdivision of a State; and
“(6) “law enforcement officer” means a State or local officer or employee whose duties are primarily the investigation, apprehension, or detention of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of a State or local jurisdiction, including an officer or employee engaged in this activity who is transferred to a supervisory or administrative position.”