EAGLE Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 3366

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Crime and Law Enforcement

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-04-28T08:06:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The EAGLE Act of 2025 aims to support small local law enforcement agencies by providing federal grants to cover costs related to earning or maintaining accreditation from professional organizations. This accreditation helps ensure agencies meet high standards for operations, training, and accountability, ultimately improving public safety and trust in policing.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program Establishment: The U.S. Attorney General must create the program within 90 days of the bill's enactment to fund "qualified accreditation or re-certification" for eligible local agencies.
• Eligibility and Applications: Grants go to local law enforcement agencies with fewer than 350 employees. Agencies must apply by demonstrating financial need and detailing requested funds for specific costs, such as accreditation fees, on-site assessments (evaluations by experts), and extension fees (charges for delays in the process).
• Use of Funds: Grants can only cover direct costs of accreditation or re-certification, performed by recognized national, state, regional, or Tribal organizations (e.g., the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, or CALEA, which sets professional standards).
• Funding: Authorizes $10 million for fiscal year 2025, with funds available until fully spent.
• Definitions:
• Qualified accreditation or re-certification: Official recognition by a professional body that the agency meets established standards.
• Local law enforcement agency: A local government unit (e.g., city or county police department) authorized to handle crime prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution, limited to those with under 350 employees.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal grant program specifically targeted at accreditation for small local law enforcement agencies. It does not amend prior laws but adds a dedicated funding mechanism through the Department of Justice, filling a gap by subsidizing costs that many under-resourced agencies cannot afford on their own.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The Department of Justice (via the Attorney General) will administer the program, potentially increasing administrative workload but enabling more consistent national standards for policing. Local agencies, especially smaller ones in rural or low-budget areas, could access up to the full $10 million pool, reducing financial barriers to professionalization.
• On Citizens: Improved accreditation may lead to better-trained officers, fairer practices, and higher accountability, potentially enhancing community safety and reducing incidents of misconduct. However, benefits depend on agency participation.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic law enforcement.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Local Law Enforcement Agencies: Primary beneficiaries, particularly smaller ones (under 350 employees) facing budget constraints.
• U.S. Department of Justice and Attorney General: Responsible for program setup, grant awards, and oversight.
• Accrediting Organizations (e.g., CALEA): Indirectly supported, as grants encourage more agencies to seek their services.
• Local Governments and Communities: Agencies serve these groups, so improved standards could benefit taxpayers and residents through more effective policing.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill aligns with federal authority under the Constitution's commerce clause and spending power to fund state and local improvements. It imposes no mandates on agencies, making participation voluntary and avoiding coercion concerns.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it promotes professional standards without infringing on states' rights to regulate policing.
• Political: Introduced with bipartisan support (from both parties), signaling broad agreement on bolstering law enforcement professionalism amid ongoing debates about police reform and accountability. The $10 million authorization is modest, suggesting a targeted rather than expansive initiative.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

Cosponsors (15)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-05-13: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House
• 2025-05-13: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Establishing Accreditation Grants for Law Enforcement Act of 2025 — issued 2025-05-13 — PDF (4 pages)