Sponsors (3)
The bill channels federal grants to expand local and state capacity to investigate and reduce auto theft—likely improving recoveries and relieving some local budget pressure—while raising federal spending and risks of privacy harms, unequal access for smaller or Tribal jurisdictions, and a heavier emphasis on policing rather than non‑policing solutions.
Local and state law enforcement and affected communities receive dedicated federal grant funding to hire officers and support staff, purchase equipment, fund overtime, and form task forces, increasing investigative capacity and enabling faster recovery of stolen vehicles and reduced auto-theft rates.
Federal grant funding reduces direct local budget pressure by covering personnel and equipment costs for auto-theft programs, allowing jurisdictions to expand capacity without fully shifting local funds.
Competitive subgrants prioritize communities with higher recent auto-theft levels, directing resources to areas with the greatest need.
Taxpayers bear federal costs (approximately $30M/year through FY2026–2030) and the program may reallocate existing COPS funds or federal resources toward auto-theft at the expense of other public-safety priorities.
Increased surveillance and data collection (e.g., license-plate readers and expanded law-enforcement databases) raise privacy and civil‑liberties concerns for drivers and community members if governance and limits are not robust.
Competitive, state‑administered grant processes may favor jurisdictions with grant-writing capacity and leave small, rural, or Tribal agencies underfunded, worsening geographic inequities in resources.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DOJ/COPS auto-theft grant program, expands COPS grant uses to include auto-theft prevention, and authorizes $30M/year for FY2026–2030.
Introduced January 20, 2025 by Mikie Sherrill · Last progress January 20, 2025
Creates a Department of Justice grant program run by the COPS Office to help states and localities combat auto theft and stolen-vehicle trafficking. The program directs grants to each State’s Attorney General (award size based on the State’s recent auto-theft level), requires specific minimum allocations to local and State law enforcement, allows funds to buy equipment, hire staff, pay overtime, support task forces, and fund data/research, and authorizes $30 million per year for FY2026–2030. Also amends the COPS grant statute to explicitly allow grant funds to be used for auto-theft prevention and related investigation and research, and defines key terms like “local law enforcement agency,” “locality,” and “State.” The program must be established within 60 days of enactment, and localities with higher recent auto-theft rates are prioritized for subgrants.