§50313 Federal Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery Board

Summary

Creates a Badge of Bravery Board inside the Department of Justice. The Board must design the federal badge, choose who will engrave it, review timely nominations, and each year give the Attorney General a list of recommended recipients under the rules in section 50312(a). After the Attorney General approves, the Board buys the badges, tells the nominating agency, invites the Member of Congress from the recipient’s district to present the badge if they want, and sets up the award events under section 50314. The Board also sets an annual schedule for its work. The Board has seven members: one chosen jointly by the Senate majority and minority leaders; one chosen jointly by the Speaker and House minority leader; one DOJ appointee by the Attorney General; two picked by the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association’s executive board; and two picked by the Fraternal Order of Police’s executive board. No more than two members may come from either of those two organizations. Members must have experience or training in federal law enforcement. Terms are two years and may be renewed. The Board elects its chair and must meet within 90 days after a majority is appointed. A majority is usually needed to act. The Board can hold hearings, take testimony under oath, get information from federal agencies (subject to disclosure laws), pay witnesses under 28 U.S.C. 1821, and keep investigation-sensitive information secret. Members are paid a daily rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual pay for Executive Schedule level IV (section 5315 of title 5) for days worked, but federal, state, or local employees get no extra pay; travel and per diem follow federal rules.