HEAR Act of 2023

Last action on Mar 26, 2026Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered)....

Bill text replaced

This bill's text was replaced via an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Some metadata (subjects, policy area, committees) may reflect the original bill and not the current text.

Summary

Help Empower Americans to Respond Act of 2023 or the HEAR Act of 2023

This bill establishes a new criminal offense for the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of a firearm silencer or firearm muffler.

The bill does not prohibit certain conduct with respect to a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, including the following:

importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; and
importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials.

In addition, the bill requires the Department of Justice to establish and implement a buy-back program to purchase firearm silencers and firearm mufflers. States and local governments may use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender firearm silencers and firearm mufflers under this buy-back program.

Lifecycle of the Bill

Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1647)

Mar 26, 2026

Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1589)

Mar 25, 2026

Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1561)

Mar 24, 2026

Motion to table the motion to suspend the operation of Rule XXV paragraph (n)(1) to permit the committee on Rules and Administration to consider the pending motion with respect to the House message to accompany S. 1383 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 47. Record Vote Number: 67.

Mar 24, 2026

Motion to table motion to refer to Senate Committee on Rules and Administration the House message to accompany S. 1383 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4422) agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 47. Record Vote Number: 68.

Mar 24, 2026

Motion by Senator Thune to refer to Senate Committee on Rules and Administration the House message to accompany S. 1383 with instructions to report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 4772) made in Senate. (CR S1569-1570)

Mar 24, 2026

Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1495)

Mar 22, 2026

Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1461)

Mar 21, 2026

Cloture on the motion to suspend the operation of Rule XXV, paragraph (n)(1) to permit the committee on Rules and Administration to consider the pending motion with respect to the House message to accompany S. 1383 not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 41 - 49. Record Vote Number: 61. (CR S1466)

Mar 21, 2026

Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1419)

Mar 20, 2026

Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1314)

Mar 19, 2026

Motion by Senator Schumer to suspend the operation of Rule XXV paragraph (n)(1) to permit the committee on Rules and Administration to consider the pending motion with respect to the House message to accompany S. 1383 made in Senate.

Mar 19, 2026

Cloture motion on the motion to suspend the operation of Rule XXV, paragraph (n)(1) to permit the committee on Rules and Administration to consider the pending motion with respect to the House message to accompany S. 1383 presented in Senate. (CR S1348)

Mar 19, 2026

Considered by Senate (Message from the House considered). (consideration: CR S1159)

Mar 18, 2026

Motion to proceed to consideration of the House message to accompany S. 1383 agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 48. Record Vote Number: 57.

Mar 17, 2026

Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S1066-1088)

Mar 17, 2026

Motion by Senator Thune to concur in the House amendment to S. 1383 made in Senate. (CR S1067)

Mar 17, 2026

Motion by Senator Thune to concur in the House amendment to S. 1383 with an amendment (SA 4420) made in Senate. (CR S1067)

Mar 17, 2026

Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.

Feb 12, 2026

HEAR Act of 2023

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Cosponsors (8)

Senate Committee on the Judiciary

CBO Cost Estimate

Search

Search

HEAR Act of 2023

Summary

Lifecycle of the Bill

Lifecycle of the Bill

Bill Information

Sponsors & Co-sponsors (9)

Cosponsors (8)

Policy Area

Committees (1)

Senate Committee on the Judiciary

CBO Cost Estimate

CBO Cost Estimate