A bill to amend section 3634 of title 18, United States Code, to extend the period for First Step Act reports.
- Sponsor
- Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
- Committees
- Judiciary Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Dec 15, 2025
Bottom line
This bill reduces the frequency of mandated reports to Congress on the implementation of the First Step Act from every five years to every ten years.
What it actually does
This bill amends Section 3634 of title 18, United States Code, to change the frequency of mandated reports from the Attorney General to Congress concerning the implementation of the First Step Act. Specifically, it extends the reporting period from every 5 years to every 10 years, effectively halving the frequency of these required reports.
Proponents argue
Supporters would argue that extending the reporting period reduces administrative burden on the Department of Justice and related agencies, allowing them to focus resources on implementing the First Step Act rather than on frequent reporting. They might also suggest that a 10-year period provides a more comprehensive view of long-term trends and impacts, as significant changes and data collection for criminal justice reforms often take longer than five years to fully materialize and assess.
Opponents contend
Opponents might argue that less frequent reporting reduces congressional oversight over the First Step Act's implementation, potentially delaying the identification and correction of issues or unintended consequences. They could contend that a 5-year cycle ensures more timely accountability and allows Congress to make necessary adjustments based on more current data regarding a significant criminal justice reform.
The bill is exceptionally short and can be read and understood in less than a minute, making it highly accessible for evaluation.
Section 1
Extension of First Step Act Reporting Period
This section modifies existing law (18 U.S.C. 3634) to change how often the Attorney General, in consultation with other federal agencies, must report to Congress on the First Step Act's implementation. Currently, these reports are due every 5 years. This bill changes that requirement to every 10 years, effectively halving the frequency of these mandated reports.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue that this extension streamlines operations for federal agencies, allowing them to allocate resources more efficiently towards the actual implementation and management of the First Step Act's programs rather than dedicating significant time and personnel to preparing frequent reports. They may also contend that a 10-year cycle provides a more robust dataset for evaluating the long-term impacts of complex criminal justice reforms, as 5 years might be too short to observe definitive trends or outcomes.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that extending the reporting period diminishes congressional oversight and accountability for a critical piece of criminal justice legislation. They could assert that a 5-year reporting cycle is essential for timely identification of challenges, successes, and areas needing adjustment, ensuring that the First Step Act remains effective and aligned with its original intent. Less frequent reports could mean problems go unaddressed for longer.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the administrative burden on federal agencies responsible for reporting against Congress's need for timely oversight and the public's interest in transparency regarding criminal justice reforms. It trades more frequent, potentially less comprehensive, data for less frequent, potentially more comprehensive, data, while also reducing agency workload.