Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2026

HR 5068: MORE Act

The MORE Act (HR 5068) would remove cannabis from the federal list of controlled substances, effectively decriminalizing it at the federal level while establishing a new tax on cannabis products. The bill creates an Opportunity Trust Fund that would distribute tax revenues to support communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition, including funding for expungement programs, job training, and equitable licensing initiatives for minority business owners. It also includes provisions to prevent discrimination based on cannabis use in federal programs, immigration proceedings, and workplace policies. The bill would require federal courts to expunge non-violent cannabis convictions and establish a process for resentencing individuals currently serving time for such offenses. These provisions aim to address racial disparities in cannabis enforcement and create more equitable opportunities in the legal cannabis industry.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new cannabis tax and allocates revenue to fund expungement, job training, and equitable licensing programs via Opportunity Trust Fund.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates expungement programs and funds community support for minority business owners impacted by cannabis prohibition, directly advancing criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Civil Rights Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · United States · Senate Dec 18, 2025

S 3576: PREPARE Act of 2025

The PREPARE Act of 2025 establishes a federal Commission on the Federal Regulation of Cannabis to develop a regulatory framework for cannabis similar to alcohol regulation. The Commission will study barriers to regulation including impacts of criminalization on minority communities, financial access for cannabis businesses, research limitations, and product safety standards. It must hold public hearings with industry representatives and those affected by cannabis prohibition, and publish initial findings within 120 days and final recommendations within one year. This bill does not change current federal cannabis laws but prepares the government for potential future legalization, directly affecting federal and state regulatory approaches, cannabis businesses, and communities disproportionately impacted by past cannabis prohibition policies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeStudies impacts of cannabis criminalization on minority communities, aligning with criminal justice reform goals like reducing disproportionate enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · United States · Senate Nov 20, 2025

S 3256: Disarm Hate Act

The Disarm Hate Act (S 3256) adds new restrictions to federal firearm law, prohibiting individuals convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime or who received an enhanced sentence for such a crime from buying, possessing, or transporting firearms. It directly affects people convicted under state, federal, or tribal law for misdemeanor offenses motivated by bias against race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, where the crime involved physical force, a weapon threat, or credible threat to safety. The bill amends existing federal laws (18 U.S.C. §§ 922(d) and 922(g)) to explicitly include these individuals in prohibited categories, while excluding cases where convictions were expunged, pardoned, or where civil rights were restored without firearm restrictions. This is a concrete policy change to expand firearm prohibitions based on specific hate-motivated misdemeanor convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts firearm access for hate crime offenders, strengthening sentencing and public safety measures within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · United States · House Feb 4, 2025

HR 920: Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting Fentanyl Act

HR 920, the *Federal Initiative to Guarantee Health by Targeting Fentanyl Act*, expands the definition of illegal substances under the Controlled Substances Act to include all fentanyl-related substances and their chemical variations, such as structural modifications to the phenyl, piperidine, or aniline rings. This directly affects individuals and entities producing, distributing, or possessing these substances, including many synthetic opioids. The bill removes mandatory minimum prison sentences for offenses involving these newly classified substances. It aims to more broadly criminalize fentanyl variants by defining them through chemical structure rather than specific compounds. The law amends Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act and Section 401(b)(1)(C) of the Controlled Substances Act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves mandatory minimum sentences for fentanyl-related offenses, reducing harsh sentencing practices aligned with criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 6, 2025

S 889: Extreme Risk Protection Order Expansion Act of 2025

This bill establishes a federal grant program to help states and tribes implement Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), which temporarily restrict firearm access for individuals deemed to pose a danger to themselves or others. To qualify for grants, states and tribes must enact legislation meeting specific requirements, including petition processes, notice and hearing procedures, and standards for issuing ERPOs. The bill requires states to notify federal authorities about ERPOs and update the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, ensuring ERPOs are recognized across state lines. It also mandates training for law enforcement on the safe, impartial use of ERPOs and includes provisions for reporting demographic data on petitioners and respondents. The legislation directly affects states, tribes, law enforcement officers, and individuals subject to ERPOs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands ERPO implementation to prevent gun violence, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing harm and enhancing public safety through evidence-based interventions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2025

HR 3114: Clean Slate Act of 2025

The Clean Slate Act of 2025 automatically seals federal criminal records for individuals convicted of nonviolent marijuana offenses (under 21 U.S.C. 844) or arrested without conviction, after they complete all sentence requirements. It also creates a petition process for individuals convicted of other nonviolent federal offenses who have completed their sentences, requiring courts to balance public safety concerns against the individual's rehabilitation when deciding whether to seal records. Sealed records cannot be accessed for most background checks, employment, or housing applications, with limited exceptions for law enforcement, national security positions, or firearm-related employment. The bill directly affects individuals with certain nonviolent federal convictions or arrests who have completed their sentences, excluding those with violent offenses, sex offenses, or national security convictions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAutomatically seals nonviolent offense records, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through record expungement95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement

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in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2025

HR 1562: Test Strip Access Act of 2025

This bill amends the 21st Century Cures Act to explicitly include fentanyl and xylazine test strips in grant funding for state and tribal programs addressing opioid use disorders. It directly affects state and tribal health agencies that receive federal grants under this program by expanding eligibility to cover these specific test strips. The key provision adds "fentanyl or xylazine test strips" to the list of approved items that grant funds may support, ensuring these critical tools for detecting dangerous substances are included in funding. The change updates existing grant language without creating new requirements or altering program administration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds fentanyl/xylazine test strips for opioid treatment, promoting public health harm reduction to decrease drug-related arrests and incarceration, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly expands grant funding eligibility to include fentanyl/xylazine test strips for opioid use disorder programs, directly increasing resources for public health initiatives addressing substance abuse.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · United States · House Feb 9, 2026

HR 7413: HIRE DEA Act

HR 7413, the HIRE DEA Act, allows the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to directly hire staff for specific roles without following standard federal civil service hiring rules during fiscal years 2027 through 2034. It targets positions critical to combating drug trafficking, including criminal investigators, intelligence analysts, forensic specialists, and community outreach coordinators, as determined by the Attorney General. The bill bypasses most standard hiring procedures under Title 5 of the U.S. Code, except for two specific sections, to speed up recruitment. This change directly affects DEA hiring processes and personnel for roles focused on addressing current and emerging drug trafficking threats.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens DEA law enforcement capacity by enabling direct hiring for critical anti-drug roles (criminal investigators, analysts) to combat trafficking, advancing enforcement within criminal justice system.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · United States · House Feb 17, 2026

HR 7599: Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act of 2026

HR 7599 creates a federal framework for extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), allowing family members or law enforcement to petition courts to temporarily prohibit individuals from possessing firearms when they pose a risk of harm to themselves or others. The bill establishes a process for issuing ex parte orders (up to 14 days) followed by a hearing within 72 hours to determine if a longer-term order (up to 180 days) should be issued, requiring respondents to surrender firearms to U.S. Marshals or designated law enforcement. Courts must consider specific factors like recent threats, violence, substance abuse, or cruelty to animals before issuing orders, with no fees for petitioners. The law requires law enforcement training to address bias, includes annual reporting requirements, and ensures firearms are returned once the order expires and the individual is eligible to own firearms under federal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates federal ERPOs to prevent gun violence through court-ordered firearm removal, advancing public safety and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · United States · House Feb 25, 2026

HR 7699: Tribal Police Department Parity Act

HR 7699, the Tribal Police Department Parity Act, removes barriers for tribal law enforcement by amending federal firearm and tax laws. It directly affects tribal police departments (as defined under the Indian Self-Determination Act) by allowing them to transfer, possess, and import firearms under the same rules that apply to state police. The bill amends Title 18 (firearm regulations) and the Internal Revenue Code to explicitly include "Indian Tribe" in provisions about firearm transfers and tax exemptions. This ensures tribal departments can access necessary equipment without additional restrictions and qualify for tax exemptions previously limited to state entities. The changes apply to firearms transferred or made after the bill’s enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill grants tribal police equal firearm access under federal law, strengthening tribal law enforcement capabilities within criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Law Enforcement Tags Tribal Nations

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