End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8818
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-15T18:36:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Summary of H.R. 8818: End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act of 2026
Purpose of the Legislation
This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to create a new grant program. Its main goal is to provide funding for locating, investigating, and stopping the distribution of opioids through support for law enforcement activities.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Grant Authorization: The Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Director) may award grants to eligible entities for opioid-related enforcement efforts.
- Eligible Entities: Includes states, state law enforcement agencies, local governments, Indian Tribes, multi-jurisdictional task forces, and regional consortia.
- Application Requirements: Entities must submit detailed plans on fund use, data reporting assurances, and certifications of compliance.
- Fund Uses: Grants support hiring and training officers, creating or expanding task forces, buying equipment or technology, paying overtime, and other approved activities.
- Grant Duration: Awards last between 1 and 3 years.
- Funding Allocation: At least 20% of funds must go directly to Indian Tribes or Tribal law enforcement and to multi-jurisdictional task forces.
- Contracts and Subawards: Recipients may pass funds to other law enforcement entities or consortia.
- Administrative and Technical Support: Up to 2% of funds may cover administration; the COPS Director must provide technical assistance, including possible training centers.
- Priority: Preference given to applicants focused on new or expanded multi-jurisdictional task forces or regional consortia.
- Reporting: Annual reports to Congress on program effectiveness begin two years after enactment.
- Authorization: $70,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Adds a new Part PP to Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, establishing a dedicated grant program for opioid trafficking.
- Repeals section 1701(m) of the same Act, removing a prior provision.
- Introduces specific set-asides for Tribal entities and task forces, along with streamlined application processes and technical assistance requirements.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Provides new federal funding streams to state, local, and Tribal law enforcement, potentially increasing capacity for multi-agency operations while requiring data reporting and compliance.
- Citizens: May enhance efforts to disrupt opioid distribution networks, affecting public safety and health outcomes in communities.
- International Relations: No direct provisions address international aspects, though the focus on trafficking could indirectly relate to cross-border enforcement coordination.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- State and local law enforcement agencies.
- Indian Tribes and Tribal law enforcement.
- Multi-jurisdictional task forces and regional consortia.
- The U.S. Department of Justice, specifically the COPS Office.
- Congress, through appropriations and oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Expands federal grant-making authority under existing crime control statutes, raising standard federalism considerations regarding funding conditions on state and local entities.
- Includes protections to ensure Tribal eligibility is not reduced by participation in broader task forces.
- The program emphasizes domestic law enforcement priorities without altering constitutional powers or creating new regulatory mandates.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-14: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-05-14: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-14: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-14 — PDF (8 pages)