Criminal Justice

HRES 405 is a procedural resolution that sets the rules for the House to debate and vote on three related bills. It waives objections and limits debate to one hour for H.R. 2240 (requiring reports on attacks against law enforcement), H.R. 2243 (amending officer safety laws and concealed carry rules), and H.R. 2255 (allowing federal officers to purchase retired service weapons). This resolution does not change the bills' content but streamlines their consideration process.

The HALT Fentanyl Act (HR 27) creates a new category of Schedule I controlled substances for "fentanyl-related substances" defined by specific chemical modifications to fentanyl. This law directly affects researchers, medical professionals, and law enforcement by expanding the legal definition of fentanyl-related substances to include many structurally similar compounds. Key provisions include streamlined registration processes for research on these substances, allowing researchers to conduct studies with expedited procedures if related to FDA-approved drug development or government-funded research. The bill requires the Attorney General to issue implementing rules within six months and includes penalties for violations involving these substances.