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HR 265 111th Congress House Crime and Law Enforcement Administrative law and regulatory procedures Correctional facilities and imprisonment Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation Criminal procedure and sentencing Department of Homeland Security Department of Justice Department of the Treasury Drug trafficking and controlled substances Drug, alcohol, tobacco use Executive agency funding and structure Firearms and explosives Law enforcement administration and funding U.S. Sentencing Commission Violent crime

Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009

Introduced: January 7, 2009 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 21, 2009
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Feb 9, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Jan 14, 2009
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jan 7, 2009
Referred to House Energy and Commerce
Jan 7, 2009
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jan 7, 2009
Referred to House Judiciary
Jan 7, 2009
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the amount of a controlled substance or mixture containing a cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) required for the imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms for crack cocaine trafficking to eliminate the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine.

Eliminates the five-year mandatory minimum prison term for first-time possession of crack cocaine.

Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend, if appropriate, its sentencing guidelines for trafficking in a controlled substance to reflect the use of a dangerous weapon or violence in such crime and the culpability and the role of the defendant in such crime, taking into account certain aggravating and mitigating factors.

Directs the Attorney General to make grants to improve drug treatment to offenders in prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities.

Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to establish demonstration programs to reduce the use of alcohol and other drugs by substance abusers while incarcerated and until the completion of parole or court supervision.

Increases monetary penalties for drug trafficking and for the importation and exportation of controlled substances.

Authorizes appropriations to the Departments of Justice (DOJ), the Treasury, and Homeland Security (DHS) for FY2009-FY2010 for the prosecution of, and for supporting the prosecution of, high-level drug offenses.

What's happening now May 21, 2009

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 265: Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-265/
MLA
"H.R. 265: Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-265/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 265, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-265/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 265: Drug Sentencing Reform and Cocaine Kingpin Trafficking Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-265/)
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