A bill to implement the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and Their Destruction, by prohibiting certain conduct relating to biological weapons, and for other purposes.
Biological Weapons Anti-Terrorism Act of 1989 - Declares it to be the purpose of this Act to implement the Biological Weapons Convention and to protect the United States from biological terrorism.
Amends the Federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties upon anyone who knowingly develops, produces, stockpiles, transfers, acquires, retains, or possesses any biological agent, toxin, or delivery system for use as a weapon or assists a foreign state or any organization to do so. Provides for extraterritorial Federal jurisdiction over an offense committed by or against a U.S. national.
Authorizes the Attorney General to request the issuance of a warrant authorizing the seizure of any such agent, toxin, or delivery system that exists by reason of conduct prohibited under this Act or that is of a type or in a quantity that has no apparent justification for prohylactic, protective, or other peaceful purposes. Authorizes the seizure and destruction of such an agent, toxin, or delivery system upon probable cause without a warrant in exigent circumstances. Establishes as an affirmative defense against forfeiture that such agent, toxin, or delivery system is for a peaceful purpose and is of a type or quantity reasonable for that purpose.
Authorizes the United States to obtain an injunction against conduct prohibited by this Act.
Authorizes the interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications related to biological weapons offenses under specified conditions.
Laid on the table. See S. 993 for further action.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-210.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 101-210.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 393.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
Received in the House.
Held at the desk.
Considered by unanimous consent.
Mr. Kastenmeier asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
On passage Passed without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Enacted as Public Law 101-298
checking server…
Ask anything about this bill. The AI reads the full text to answer.
Enter to send · Shift+Enter for new line
A similar measure H.R. 237 was laid on the table without objection.
Measure Signed in Senate.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 101-298.
Became Public Law No: 101-298.