Federal Sentencing Bills in the 111th Congress
Updated October 26, 2009

This is not an exhaustive list of bills that have a drug policy focus. If you hear of a bill you think we should list here, contact us. For detailed information about these Congressional Bills visit Thomas.gov or OpenCongress, a project of the Sunlight Foundation. Our hotlinks to more information about the status of these bills are linked to Open Congress.

Archive: Past Bills and Citizen Proposals

Introduced October 2009

HR 3939 - The Truth in Trials Act
"To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an affirmative defense for the medical use of marijuana in accordance with the laws of the various States, and for other purpose." Introduced by Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA), this bill would enable law-abiding citizens facing federal marijuana related charges to introduce evidence at trial showing that they were in compliance with state law.

S 1789 - A Bill to Restore Fairness to Federal Cocaine Sentencing
Introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-VA), this bill currently had 10 cosponsors. S 1789 would lower crack cocaine sentences to powder cocaine levels, and eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for simple crack cocaine possession, but would also increase penalties for certain drug trafficking offenses.

Introduced July 2009

HR 3327 - Ramos-Compean Justice Act of 2009
Introduced by Representative Bobby Scott, the Ramos-Compean Justice Act of 2009 would amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent unjust and irrational criminal punishments.

HR 3245 - Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009
Introduced by Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009 would amend the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act regarding penalties for cocaine offenses, and for other purposes as introduced. This bill has been marked-up and it's expected will come to the House for a full floor vote this year. The press and others call this the crack equalization bill -- it brings sentencing levels to the levels of imprisonment currently imposed for powder cocaine.

Introduced June 2009

HR 2943 - The Personal Use of Marijuana by Responsible Adults Act of 2009
Introduced by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), this bill would "eliminate most Federal penalties for possession of marijuana for personal use, and for other purposes."

HR 2835 - The Medical Marijuana Patient Protection Act
Introduced by Representative Barney Frank (D-MA), this bill would prohibit federal interference in state-run medical marijuana programs. It would also move marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule II drug, recognizing marijuana's medical value and making it possible for the FDA to begin setting up a regulatory framework for its use.

Introduced April 2009

HR 2178 - Crack-Cocaine Equitable Sentencing Act of 2009
Introduced by Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY), the Crack-Cocaine Equitable Sentencing Act of 2009 would amend the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to eliminate certain mandatory minimum penalties relating to crack cocaine offenses. Watch the April 29, 2009 webcast of a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing entitled, “Restoring Fairness to Federal Sentencing: Addressing the Crack-Powder Disparity”

Introduced March 2009

S 714 - National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009
Introduced by Senator James Webb (D-Va) and co-sponsored by Arlen Spector (D-Pa) ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, The National Criminal Justice Commission Act of 2009 will create a blue-ribbon commission to look at every aspect of our criminal justice system with an eye toward reshaping the process from top to bottom. As of October 2009, this bill is in the Senate Committee on the Judiciary scheduled for consideration, and a companion bill is being prepared in the House.



HR 1475 - Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2009
Introduced by Danny Davis (D-Il) the Federal Prison Work Incentive Act of 2009 would increase good time and allow additional opportunities to reduce a sentence through works programs.

HR 1466 - Major Drug Trafficking Prosecution Act of 2009
Introduced by Representative Maxine Waters (D-Ca), the Major Drug Trafficking Prosecution Act of 2009 would abolish mandatory drug sentences.

HR 1459 - Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009
Introduced by Representative Bobby Scott (D-Va), the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009 would eliminate the distinction between crack and powder cocaine, eliminate mandatory minimum cocaine sentencing, and explore establishing probation for some drug offenders. (This bill has been replace by HR 3245, introduced in July of 2009, passed out of committee and should be voted on by the full house.

S. 495 and HR 1412, the Justice Integrity Act of 2009
Introduced by Senator Benjamin Cardin [D, MD], February 26th, the House Bill was introduced March 10th by Representative Steve Cohen [D, TN-9]. The Justice Integrity Act of 2009 aims to increase public confidence in the justice system and address any unwarranted racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal process.

HR 1529 - Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2009
Introduced by Representative Charles Rangel, this bill would permit expungement of records of certain nonviolent criminal offenses, provided the offender:
(1) never been convicted of a violent offense and has never been convicted of a nonviolent offense other than the one for which expungement is sought; (2) fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court in which conviction was obtained; (3) remained free from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for a minimum of one year and has been rehabilitated, to the court's satisfaction, if so required by the terms of supervised release; (4) obtained a high school diploma or completed a high school equivalency program; and (5) completed at least one year of community service.

Introduced January 2009

HR 265 - Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009
Introduced by Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tx), the Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009 would target cocaine kingpins and address sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

HR 68 - No More Tulias: Drug Law Enforcement Evidentiary Standards Improvement Act of 2009
Introduced by Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tx), the No More Tulias: Drug Law Enforcement Evidentiary Standards Improvement Act of 2009 would increase the evidentiary standard required to convict a person for a drug offense, to require screening of law enforcement officers or others acting under color of law participating in drug task forces, and for other purposes.

HR 61 - Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act of 2009
Introduced by Rep Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Tx) the Federal Prison Bureau Nonviolent Offender Relief Act of 2009 would amend title 18, United States Code, to provide an alternate release date for certain nonviolent offenders, and for other purposes. Introduced 1/6/2009 would direct the Bureau of Prisons, pursuant to a good time policy, to release a prisoner who has served one half or more of his or her term of imprisonment if that prisoner:
• (1) has attained age 45;
• (2) has never been convicted of a crime of violence; and
• (3) has not engaged in any violation, involving violent conduct, of institutional disciplinary regulations.

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