The Criminal History Access Act of 2026 (H.R. 8352) is a proposed law that would allow state agencies responsible for setting standards for law enforcement officers to access criminal history records maintained by the FBI. This access is intended to help these agencies make informed decisions about hiring, training, and retaining police officers.
Supporters of the bill argue that it will enhance public safety by ensuring that law enforcement agencies have comprehensive information when evaluating potential and current officers. They believe that access to detailed criminal histories will help maintain high standards within the police force and prevent individuals with concerning backgrounds from serving as officers.
Critics express concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of sensitive information. They worry that expanding access to criminal records could lead to violations of individuals' rights and may disproportionately affect certain communities. Additionally, there are apprehensions about the adequacy of safeguards to prevent unauthorized use or dissemination of the information.
Based on the data provided, there appears to be a low risk of conflicts of interest between the sponsor's donors and the bill's subject matter. The sponsor, Derek Schmidt, does not have any direct industry overlaps with the subjects of the bill, H.R. 8352: Criminal History Access Act. This suggests that the sponsor's decision to support this bill is not directly influenced by his top donors. In terms of lobbying activity, several organizations have lobbied in this bill's policy area. However, without specific information linking these organizations to the sponsor or the bill, it is difficult to determine if there is a potential conflict of interest. The disclosed lobbying amounts range from $10,000 to $350,000, but without further information, it's unclear if these funds have any direct influence on the bill or the sponsor.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| GLOBAL ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION (FKA IPC INTERNATIONAL) | GLOBAL ELECTRONICS ASSOCATION (FKA IPC INTERNATIONAL) | $350,000 |
| BRISTOW GROUP, INC. | BRISTOW GROUP, INC. | $190,000 |
| MOSMART NORTH AMERICA, LLC | TCGA GROUP, LLC | $110,000 |
| MARITIME INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT | MARITIME INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT | $60,000 |
| SOUTH CAROLINA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION | SOUTH CAROLINA FARM BUREAU FEDERATION | $50,000 |
| NATIONAL STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING ASSOCIATION | TULIPIFERA STRATEGIES | $10,000 |
| TREATMENT ADVOCACY CENTER | TULIPIFERA STRATEGIES | $10,000 |
| GENESIS HEALTH SCIENCES LLC | GENESIS HEALTH SCIENCES LLC | undisclosed |
| BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN | DENNIS M. HERTEL & ASSOCIATES | undisclosed |
| HENRY FORD MUSEUM AND GREENFIELD VILLAGE | DENNIS M. HERTEL & ASSOCIATES | undisclosed |
| NORTH FORK COMMUNITY POWER | THE CRISCOM COMPANY | undisclosed |
| CITY OF PALM DESERT | THE CRISCOM COMPANY | undisclosed |
| CITY OF HOLTVILLE | THE CRISCOM COMPANY | undisclosed |
| CITY OF CALABASAS | THE CRISCOM COMPANY | undisclosed |
| KINGS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE | THE CRISCOM COMPANY | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Derek Schmidt, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
