A joint resolution authorizing the President's Commission on Organized Crime to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of information, and for other purposes.
Public Law 98-368 · H.J.Res. 548 · 98th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Jul 17, 1984 · Crime and Law Enforcement
Sponsor: Rep. William Hughes (D-NJ-2)
Cosponsors (8): Rep. Peter Rodino, Rep. Harold Sawyer,
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateVoice vote
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Grants the President's Commission on Organized Crime subpoena power to require attendance and testimony of witnesses before it and the production of information relating to a matter under its investigation.
Grants the Federal courts jurisdiction, upon application by the Attorney General on behalf of the Commission, to issue an enforcement order. Provides that failure to comply may be treated by the court as contempt.
Establishes a procedure for the Commission to receive testimony of a person in custody.
Provides for the disclosure to the Commission of records of Federal agencies which would otherwise be prohibited by the Privacy Act of 1974. Allows for the disclosure of certain financial records. Imposes limitations on the disclosure of intercepted wire or oral communications to members of the Commission or its staff. Places restrictions upon the use of such information.
Includes members of the Commission within the protection against assaults and homicide against Federal officers and employees.
Requires the Commission to adopt internal rules and procedures.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 12 actions.
- Jul 17, 1984Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 98-368.
- Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- Jul 6, 1984PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
- Jun 26, 1984Resolving differencesResolving differences · House Agreed to Senate Amendments.
- Jun 15, 1984FloorFloor · Passed Senate in lieu of S.J.RES. 233 with an amendment by Voice Vote.
- May 10, 1984FloorFloor · Held at the desk by unanimous consent. Pending further disposition.
- May 9, 1984FloorFloor · Received in the Senate and held at the desk by unanimous consent. Until the close of business Thursday, May 10, 1984.
- May 7, 1984FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
- CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Judiciary Committee
- May 1, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Judiciary Committee
- Apr 12, 1984CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Judiciary Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.