Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

This bill creates a federal grant program to help states, tribes, and local governments implement Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which temporarily remove firearms from individuals who may pose a danger to themselves or others. The grants fund law enforcement training on ERPO use, development of court protocols, public awareness campaigns, and ensure ERPOs are recognized across jurisdictions. The bill also amends federal law to include ERPOs in background checks through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and requires states to have due process protections in place, including notice and hearing requirements for ERPOs. States receiving grants must submit annual reports on ERPO usage, including demographic data and outcomes.

This bill amends the federal Controlled Substances Act to automatically classify all fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs. It defines "fentanyl-related substances" to include any compound structurally similar to fentanyl through specific chemical modifications (like changes to rings or groups), covering isomers, salts, and derivatives. This means any new fentanyl analogues created by manufacturers would be immediately illegal without needing separate scheduling. The law directly affects drug manufacturers, distributors, and anyone possessing these substances, aiming to prevent new fentanyl variants from entering the market and causing overdoses.

The GOSAFE Act prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of gas-operated semi-automatic firearms and large capacity ammunition feeding devices (those holding more than 10 rounds). It defines gas-operated firearms as those using gas pressure to cycle the action and requires the Attorney General to publish a list of prohibited firearms within 180 days. The bill includes exemptions for single-shot weapons, muzzle-loaders, firearms with permanently fixed magazines under 10 rounds, and certain other specific types. Manufacturers must now seek approval for new semi-automatic firearms through a process requiring detailed documentation, and the bill establishes a Firearm Safety Trust Fund to cover administrative costs. Violations of these provisions can result in fines up to $5,000 or up to 12 months in prison.

This bill expands federal protections for domestic violence and stalking survivors by broadening key definitions. It adds current and former dating partners to the definition of "intimate partner" and includes their children under domestic violence protections. The bill also creates a new federal definition for "misdemeanor crime of stalking" that explicitly includes causing fear for a victim's pet, service animal, or emotional support animal, and prohibits firearm possession for those convicted of such stalking offenses. These changes directly affect survivors of dating violence and stalking, as well as individuals convicted of misdemeanor stalking under federal, state, or tribal law.

This bill reauthorizes the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program, providing $400 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2031 to support federal efforts in designated high-drug-trafficking regions. It requires the program director to identify and develop evidence-based "promising practices" for HIDTA programs, focusing on tracking drug trafficking sources, coordinating multi-level responses to drug-related crimes, and implementing substance use disorder prevention strategies. These practices must be reviewed for effectiveness and shared with all HIDTA regions starting in 2026. The bill directly affects HIDTA-designated communities and federal agencies managing drug enforcement coordination.

Assault Weapons Ban of 2025 This bill makes it a crime to knowingly import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess a semiautomatic assault weapon (SAW) or large capacity ammunition feeding device (LCAFD). The prohibition does not apply to a firearm that is (1) manually operated by bolt, pump, lever, or slide action, except for certain shotguns; (2) permanently inoperable; (3) an antique; (4) only capable of firing rimfire ammunition; or (5) a rifle or shotgun specifically identified by make and model. The bill also exempts from the prohibition the following, with respect to a SAW or LCAFD: importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession related to certain law enforcement efforts, or authorized tests or experiments; importation, sale, transfer, or possession related to securing nuclear materials; and possession by a retired law enforcement officer. The bill permits continued possession, sale, or transfer of a grandfathered SAW, which must be securely stored. A licensed gun dealer must conduct a background check prior to the sale or transfer of a grandfathered SAW between private parties. The bill permits continued possession of, but prohibits sale or transfer of, a grandfathered LCAFD. Newly manufactured LCAFDs must display serial number identification. Newly manufactured SAWs and LCAFDs must display the date of manufacture. The bill also allows a state or local government to use Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program funds to compensate individuals who surrender a SAW or LCAFD under a buy-back program.

The First Step Implementation Act of 2025 makes significant changes to sentencing and corrections policies. It modifies drug sentencing by expanding the definition of "serious drug felony or serious violent felony" and creates a process for courts to reduce sentences for people convicted as adults for crimes committed before age 18. The bill also establishes automatic sealing of juvenile nonviolent offense records after 3 years of clean record and provides procedures for expunging certain juvenile records upon reaching age 18. Additionally, it requires the Attorney General to correct inaccurate or incomplete criminal records and gives individuals the right to challenge the accuracy of their records. These provisions primarily affect individuals with juvenile records or those convicted of drug offenses under previous sentencing guidelines.

This bill amends federal murder law to treat fentanyl distribution causing death as first-degree murder. It specifically targets individuals who distribute fentanyl (or certain analogues) in quantities of 2 grams or more (or 0.5 grams for analogues) and who know or should know the substance contains fentanyl, resulting in death. Those convicted face the death penalty or life imprisonment. The law directly affects drug distributors whose actions cause fatal overdoses, shifting prosecution from drug trafficking charges to capital murder under federal law.

HR 4831 (ENFORCE Act) strengthens federal enforcement against specific child exploitation crimes. It removes the statute of limitations for offenses involving obscene visual representations of child sexual abuse, adds these crimes to sex offender registration requirements, and mandates courts to handle related evidence in ways that protect victims (e.g., keeping depictions with the government or court). The bill also creates a presumption for pretrial detention and extended supervised release for violations of these specific provisions. These changes directly affect individuals convicted under sections 1466A, 2252A, and related child exploitation laws, as well as federal courts handling such cases.

The Fight Fentanyl Act increases annual funding for fentanyl-related law enforcement efforts to $333 million from 2025 through 2030. It requires the Office of National Drug Control Policy to report annually on how HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) funds target fentanyl trafficking, including seizure data and threat assessments. The bill also mandates the Attorney General to prioritize fentanyl prosecutions by temporarily reassigning U.S. attorneys to these cases. These provisions directly affect federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies working on fentanyl interdiction and prosecution.