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H.R. 1731: Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act

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H.R. 1731: Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act

108th Congress · introduced 2003-04-10 · Crime and Law Enforcement · Latest: Became Public Law No: 108-275.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2003-04-10 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 108-275. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act

Plain summary

Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act - Amends the Federal criminal code to establish penalties for aggravated identity theft. Prescribes sentences of two years' imprisonment for knowingly transferring, possessing, or using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person during and in relation to specified felony violations (including felonies relating to theft from employee benefit plans and various fraud and immigration offenses), and five years' imprisonment for knowingly taking such action during and in relation to specified felony violations pertaining to terrorist acts, in addition to the punishments provided for such felonies. Prohibits a court from: (1) placing any person convicted of such a violation on probation; (2) reducing any sentence for the related felony to take into account the sentence imposed for such a violation; or (3) providing for concurrent terms of imprisonment for a violation of this Act and any other violation, except, in the court's discretion, an additional violation of this section. Expands the existing identify theft prohibition to: (1) cover possession of a means of identification of another with intent to commit specified unlawful activity; (2) increase penalties for violations; and (3) include acts of domestic terrorism within the scope of a prohibition against facilitating an act of international terrorism.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31] · 26 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 1731, Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act (2004-05-20); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 1731, Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act (2004-05-20)

Cosponsors on this site

Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Ed Case (D-HI), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Janice D. Schakowsky (D-IL)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31] reported raising $1.5 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong108-hr1731 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108