Bill Summary
The "Fight Fentanyl Act" aims to enhance the efforts of the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) in addressing the opioid crisis, particularly the trafficking of fentanyl and related substances. The legislation amends the Office of National Drug Control Prevention Act of 1998 to include new requirements for assessments and reporting related to drug trafficking.
Key provisions of the Act include:
1. **Reporting on Fentanyl Trafficking**: The Act mandates the submission of annual reports detailing the use of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funds for investigating fentanyl trafficking, including information on seized quantities and law enforcement data on trafficking trends.
2. **Assessment of Limitations**: It requires HIDTA to report on any limitations faced in achieving their goals, along with recommendations for overcoming these challenges through better resource allocation and partnerships.
3. **Increased Funding**: The Act authorizes significant funding ($333 million annually from fiscal years 2025 to 2030) to support various drug enforcement initiatives, including investigations related to fentanyl interdiction.
4. **Support for Law Enforcement**: Additional provisions enhance support for federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies involved in fentanyl-related activities.
5. **Prosecutorial Resources**: It directs the Attorney General to allocate sufficient resources for the investigation and prosecution of fentanyl trafficking cases, including the temporary reassignment of assistant U.S. attorneys to prioritize these efforts.
Overall, the "Fight Fentanyl Act" strengthens the federal response to the fentanyl crisis through improved reporting, resource allocation, and enhanced law enforcement capabilities.
Possible Impacts
The "Fight Fentanyl Act" as described in the provided legislation can have several effects on individuals and communities. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Law Enforcement Resources**: The allocation of $333 million per fiscal year from 2025 through 2030 for initiatives to combat fentanyl trafficking will enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies at federal, state, local, and tribal levels. This increase in resources could lead to more effective investigations, higher rates of fentanyl seizures, and potentially fewer overdose deaths as law enforcement can target trafficking organizations more efficiently. Individuals living in areas heavily affected by fentanyl may experience a reduction in drug availability and related crime.
2. **Improved Data Reporting and Transparency**: The new requirements for assessments and reports regarding the use of High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) funds to investigate fentanyl trafficking will foster transparency and accountability in how these funds are used. This can empower communities by providing them with information about local drug trafficking trends and law enforcement actions. Residents may feel more informed and engaged in discussions about substance abuse issues affecting their neighborhoods.
3. **Focus on Prosecution of Traffickers**: The provision for increased prosecutorial resources specifically aimed at individuals and organizations trafficking in fentanyl can lead to stronger legal actions against those responsible for distributing this dangerous substance. As a result, individuals involved in trafficking may face greater legal repercussions, which could deter future trafficking activities. This could lead to a decrease in the supply of fentanyl in communities, potentially contributing to lower rates of addiction and overdose among individuals who may be at risk.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2964 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2964
To amend the Office of National Drug Control Prevention Act of 1998 to
include new requirements for assessments and reports, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
April 17, 2025
Mr. Taylor (for himself, Mr. Levin, Ms. Tenney, Mr. DesJarlais, Mrs.
Miller of West Virginia, Mr. Ezell, Mr. Goldman of New York, Mr.
Crenshaw, Ms. Perez, Mr. Finstad, Mr. Bacon, Mr. Dunn of Florida, Mr.
Davis of North Carolina, Mr. Connolly, Mr. Rouzer, Mr. Hurd of
Colorado, Mr. Vasquez, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Tran, Mr. Riley of New York,
Ms. Bynum, and Mr. Harder of California) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Office of National Drug Control Prevention Act of 1998 to
include new requirements for assessments and reports, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fight Fentanyl Act''.
SEC. 2. OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY.
The Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of
1998 (21 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 706(g)(3) (21 U.S.C. 1705(g)(3))--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(E) a report describing the use of HIDTA funds to
investigate organizations and individuals trafficking
in fentanyl or fentanyl-related substances, including
any resulting prosecution, in the prior calendar year,
including--
``(i) the amounts of fentanyl or fentanyl-
related substances seized by a HIDTA-funded
initiative in the area during the previous
year; and
``(ii) law enforcement and predictive data
from regional HIDTA threat assessments showing
patterns and trends in substance abuse,
trafficking, and transportation of fentanyl and
fentanyl-related substances.'';
(2) in section 707 (21 U.S.C. 1706)--
(A) in subsection (l)(2)--
(i) in subparagraph (F), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (G), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) any limitations of the ability of a high
intensity drug trafficking area to meet the purpose or
goals of the area and recommendations to address any
such limitations, including through resource
allocation, partnerships, or a change in authority or
law.'';
(B) in subsection (p)--
(i) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and''
at the end;
(ii) in paragraph (6), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) $333,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through
2030.'';
(C) in subsection (s)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by striking ``$10,000,000'' and inserting
``$14,224,000'';
(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and''
at the end;
(iii) in paragraph (3), by striking the
period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
and
(iv) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) providing assistance to Federal, State, local, and
Tribal law enforcement agencies in investigations and
activities related to the interdiction of fentanyl and other
substances; and
``(5) any additional purpose the Director determines is
appropriate to enhance fentanyl prevention, seizure, and
interdiction activities.''; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(t) Additional Prosecutorial Resources.--
``(1) In general.--The Attorney General shall make
available sufficient investigative and prosecution resources as
may be practicable for the purposes described in this section,
including temporary reassignment under subsection (b)(2) for
fiscal years 2024 through 2030, during which such an assistant
United States attorney shall prioritize the investigation and
prosecution of organizations and individuals trafficking in
fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances. Such temporary
reassignment may be extended by the Attorney General for such
time as may be necessary to conclude any ongoing investigation
or prosecution in which the assistant United States attorney is
engaged.
``(2) Process for temporary reassignment.--Not later than
180 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the
Attorney General shall establish a process under which the
Director, in consultation with the Executive Boards of each
designated high intensity drug trafficking area, may request an
assistant United States attorney to be so temporarily
reassigned in accordance with this subsection.''.
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