H.R. 4015: Safe and Open Streets Act

This bill, known as the Safe and Open Streets Act, proposes changes to existing laws regarding the obstruction of public roads and highways. Here are the main points of what the bill aims to do:

Establishing a New Crime

The bill seeks to amend Title 18 of the United States Code by creating a new offense specifically aimed at the obstruction of commerce through the blocking of public roads. Key provisions include:

• Definition of Offense: It will be unlawful to purposely obstruct, delay, or affect commerce or the movement of goods by blocking a public road or highway. This includes attempts or conspiracies to do so.

Punishments for Offense

The bill outlines penalties for anyone found guilty of the newly defined offense:

• Fines: Offenders may be subjected to fines as specified under Title 18.
• Imprisonment: Incarceration for up to 5 years may be imposed for violations.
• Combination of Penalties: Offenders may face both fines and imprisonment.

Amendments to Existing Laws

In addition to defining the new crime, the bill considers amendments to existing laws within Title 18:

• Redefines section 1951, which currently addresses interference with commerce.
• Removes references to "by threats or violence" in relation to interference offenses, focusing instead solely on the act of blocking roads.

Objective of the Bill

The Safe and Open Streets Act aims to reinforce the prevention of public road blockages that could disrupt commerce, thereby promoting the smooth operation of trade and transportation activities across states.

Relevant Companies

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