HIDTA Enhancement Act

This bill strengthens the federal HIDTA program, which supports areas hit hard by drug trafficking. It focuses on stopping fentanyl by adding new reporting, widening how funds can be used, boosting yearly funding, and sending extra prosecutors to help with fentanyl cases when needed. It also asks for clear info on what’s blocking progress and how to fix it.

Key points

• Who is affected: Communities in High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas; federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement; federal prosecutors.
• What changes:
  • Requires an annual report on how HIDTA funds are used against fentanyl, including how much is seized and trend data from threat assessments.
  • Allows HIDTA funds to help law enforcement investigate and stop fentanyl and related drugs, and lets the program director use funds for other fentanyl prevention and seizure needs.
  • Calls out roadblocks that keep HIDTA from meeting its goals and asks for recommendations to fix them.
  • Makes more prosecution resources available, including temporarily reassigning federal prosecutors to focus on fentanyl cases. A formal request process must be set up.
  • Authorizes $333 million each year for HIDTA from 2025 through 2030.
• When: Prosecutor reassignments can run from 2024 through 2030, with the request process due within 180 days of the law taking effect; funding runs 2025–2030.