SAFE Cities Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3894
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-10: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-17T14:15:38Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The SAFE Cities Act aims to identify and publicly label U.S. states or local governments (referred to as "anarchist jurisdictions") that fail to adequately address violence and property destruction, enabling federal agencies to restrict or limit federal grant funding to these areas as a means of encouraging stronger law enforcement responses.
Key Provisions
- Publication of List: The Attorney General must publish an initial list of anarchist jurisdictions on the Department of Justice (DOJ) website within 14 days of the bill's enactment, with updates at least every 180 days. This process involves consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
- Criteria for Identification: Jurisdictions are evaluated based on factors such as:
- Policies or practices that block law enforcement from restoring order during widespread violence or destruction.
- Restrictions on policing certain areas or structures (except for temporary tactical decisions to ensure safety during active threats).
- Efforts to defund or weaken law enforcement agencies.
- Unreasonable refusal of federal law enforcement assistance.
- Definition of Anarchist Jurisdiction: A state or local government that does not take reasonable steps to prevent acts of violence and property destruction.
- Guidance on Federal Grants: Within 30 days of enactment, the OMB Director must issue instructions to federal agency heads on how to limit or disfavor anarchist jurisdictions' eligibility for federal grants, to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal mechanism for designating and penalizing state and local governments based on their law enforcement policies, which does not currently exist in U.S. law. It empowers the executive branch (through DOJ, DHS, and OMB) to influence state and local funding without requiring new legislation for each grant restriction, potentially expanding federal oversight into local policing decisions.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Federal agencies administering grants (e.g., for public safety, infrastructure, or community programs) may need to adjust eligibility rules, increasing administrative burdens and requiring legal reviews to ensure compliance with existing laws. DOJ and DHS would handle ongoing monitoring and consultations.
- On Citizens: Residents in designated anarchist jurisdictions could face reduced access to federal-funded services, such as disaster relief or community development, potentially exacerbating local challenges like crime or economic strain. It may also influence local policy debates on policing.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic jurisdictions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and Local Governments: Primary targets, as they risk losing federal grants and facing public scrutiny if labeled anarchist jurisdictions.
- Law Enforcement Agencies: Local police and sheriffs may be indirectly affected through policy pressures or funding cuts that limit resources.
- Federal Government Entities: DOJ, DHS, and OMB lead implementation; other agencies (e.g., those handling grants like the Department of Housing and Urban Development) must follow OMB guidance.
- Citizens and Communities: Particularly those in areas with protests, unrest, or reform efforts, who could see shifts in public safety funding and services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill relies on federal agencies' existing discretion over grants but could face challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act if designations are deemed arbitrary. It defines terms broadly (e.g., "reasonable steps"), potentially leading to litigation over fairness.
- Constitutional: Raises questions about federalism, as it interferes with states' traditional authority over local law enforcement (under the 10th Amendment). Use of federal spending power to influence state actions echoes past Supreme Court cases like South Dakota v. Dole (1987), which upheld conditional funding but with limits on coercion.
- Political: The legislation's focus on "anarchist" labels and criteria tied to violence or defunding could polarize debates on police reform, protests, and federal-state relations, possibly viewed as a tool to target politically progressive areas without explicit partisan language.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (17)
Rep. Tiffany, Thomas P. [R-WI-7], Rep. Collins, Mike [R-GA-10], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. Haridopolos, Mike [R-FL-8], Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10], Rep. McCormick, Richard [R-GA-7], Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22], Rep. McGuire, John J. [R-VA-5], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Stutzman, Marlin A. [R-IN-3], Rep. Hamadeh, Abraham J. [R-AZ-8], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Steube, W. Gregory [R-FL-17], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-10: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2025-06-10: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
- 2025-06-10: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-10: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Stop Anarchists From Endangering Cities Act — issued 2025-06-10 — PDF (3 pages)