End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-9871
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
Introduced: 2024-09-27
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Latest action: action_date: 2024-09-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 9871 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 27, 2024 Mr. Larsen of Washington (for himself and Ms. Perez ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To establish grants to combat opioid trafficking.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act of 2024 . 2. Grant authorization (a) In general Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ( 34 U.S.C. 10101 et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following new part: PP Grants to combat opioid trafficking 3061. Authority to make grants to combat opioid trafficking (a) Grant authorization The COPS Director is authorized to make grants to eligible entities for the purpose of locating, investigating, and interdicting illicit activities relating to the distribution of opioids. (b) Eligible entity For the purpose of the grants made under this part, eligible entities are States, State law enforcement agencies, units of local government, Indian Tribes, multi-jurisdictional task forces, and regional consortia. (c) Application (1) In general To receive a grant under this part, an eligible entity shall submit to the COPS Director an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the COPS Director may require. Each application shall include— (A) a detailed explanation of— (i) the intended uses of funds provided under the grant; and (ii) how the activities funded under the grant will meet the purpose of this part; (B) an assurance that the applicant shall maintain and report such data, records, and information (programmatic and financial) as the COPS Director may reasonably require; and (C) a certification, made in a form acceptable to the COPS Director, that— (i) the programs to be funded by the grant meet all the requirements of this part; (ii) all the information contained in the application is correct; and (iii) the applicant will comply with all provisions of this part and all other applicable Federal laws. (2) Guidelines Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this part, the COPS Director shall promulgate guidelines to implement this part, including the information that must be included and the requirements that eligible entities must meet, in submitting the applications required under this part. (3) Streamlining applications To the greatest extent possible, the COPS Director shall streamline the grant application process to minimize the administrative burden placed on eligible applicants and to prevent the collection of extraneous or duplicative information. (d) Use of funds A grant made under this part shall be used— (1) to hire and train law enforcement officers and other employees; (2) to hire and train law enforcement officers and other employees to establish new, or support and expand existing, multi-jurisdictional task forces, regional consortia, or both; (3) to procure equipment, technology, or support systems, or pay overtime; or (4) for any other activities or items the Attorney General determines appropriate to support the purpose described in subsection (a). (e) Duration A grant made under this part shall be for not less than 1 year and not more than 3 years. (f) Allocation of grant funding Of the funds appropriated to carry out the grant program under this part not less than 20 percent for Indian Tribes, and not less than 20 percent for multi-jurisdictional task forces. (g) Contracts and subawards A State, unit of local government, or Indian Tribe may, in using a grant under this part for purposes authorized under subsection (d), use the grant to contract with or make subawards to a State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agency, a unit of local government, a Tribal organization, a multi-jurisdictional task force, or a regional consortia. (h) Administrative costs The COPS Director may reserve not more than 2 percent from amounts appropriated to carry out this part for administrative costs. (i) Technical assistance (1) In general The COPS Director may provide technical assistance to the eligible entities described in subsection (b) in furtherance of the purposes described in subsection (d). (2) Training centers and facilities The technical assistance provided by the COPS Director may include the establishment and operation of training centers or facilities, either directly or by contracting or cooperative arrangements. The functions of the centers or facilities established under this paragraph may include instruction and seminars for police executives, managers, trainers, supervisors, and such others as the COPS Director considers to be appropriate for supporting efforts related to locating, investigating, and interdicting illicit activities relating to the distribution of opioids. (j) Priority In awarding grants under this part, the COPS Director shall give priority to applicants that will use awarded funds to establish new, or support and expand existing, multi-jurisdictional task forces or regional consortia. 3062. Report Beginning not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this part, and annually thereafter, the COPS Director shall submit to Congress a report describing effectiveness of this grant program and make recommendations for how it can be improved. 3063. Definitions In this part: (1) COPS Director The term COPS Director means the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. (2) Indian Tribe The term Indian Tribe means the governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, community, component band, or component reservation individually identified (including parenthetically) on the list published by the Secretary under section 104 of the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 ( 25 U.S.C. 5131 ). (3) Multi-jurisdictional task force The term multi-jurisdictional task force means any local law enforcement entities composed of law enforcement officers from different State, local, or Tribal law enforcement agencies, which may also include other support staff members or law enforcement partners at the Federal, State, or local level. (4) Regional consortia The term regional consortium means any law enforcement entities composed of multi-jurisdictional task forces that cross State lines. 3064. Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $70,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029. . (b) Conforming amendment Section 1701(m) of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ( 34 U.S.C. 10381(m) ) is repealed.