H.R. 7163: PUBLIC SAFETY Act

Overview

The PUBLIC SAFETY Act is a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 20, 2026. The main purpose of the bill is to allocate additional federal funding for local law enforcement grant programs.

Key Provisions

1. Funding for COPS Hiring Program: The bill amends the previous "Act to provide for reconciliation" to provide $5 billion in additional funding for the COPS Hiring Program through September 30, 2030. This program provides grants to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to hire and retain officers.
2. Waiver for Smaller Jurisdictions: The bill waives certain requirements for COPS Hiring Program grants for jurisdictions employing fewer than 175 law enforcement officers, such as small counties, municipalities, and tribal governments.
3. Funding for Byrne JAG Program: The bill provides an additional $45 billion in funding for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program through September 30, 2029. This program provides grants to state and local governments for a wide range of criminal justice initiatives.

Potential Impact

• The additional funding for the COPS Hiring Program and Byrne JAG Program could significantly boost resources available to state and local law enforcement agencies across the country.
• The waiver of certain requirements for smaller jurisdictions may help these communities access federal grant funding more easily to support their law enforcement needs.
• Overall, the bill aims to provide a substantial increase in federal support for local public safety and law enforcement initiatives.

Legislative Status

The PUBLIC SAFETY Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 20, 2026 and has been referred to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on the Judiciary for further consideration.