WA Legislators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Funding for Local Drug Task Forces to Combat Opioids

This press release from Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA) was published on 2026-05-14 and titled "WA Legislators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Funding for Local Drug Task Forces to Combat Opioids".

WA Legislators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Funding for Local Drug Task Forces to Combat Opioids

Today, Reps. Rick Larsen (WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced the End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act to establish a dedicated federal funding stream to help multi-jurisdictional drug task forces combat opioid trafficking in Washington state and across the country. The bill’s introduction coincides with National Police Week, celebrated from May 11th through May 17th to recognize the sacrifices that law enforcement officers make to keep communities safe across the United States. “We have made progress in the fight against the opioid epidemic in recent years, but there is more work to be done,” said Rep. Larsen. “Local, state and Tribal law enforcement officers have told me they often lack the funding and resources to stem the flow of opioids harming their communities. This bill invests in and empowers multi-jurisdictional task forces to get more opioids and fentanyl off our streets – a critical investment that will save lives.” “Law enforcement makes real sacrifices to their personal safety to stop Fentanyl trafficking - inherently drug trafficking happens across jurisdictional boundaries and requires the multi-jurisdictional approach,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “This funding makes all the sense in the world and I’m proud to help honor the sacrifice of our law enforcement by ensuring they’ve got the tools they need to most effectively combat the fentanyl crisis.” “In order to reverse the fentanyl crisis that has plagued Central Washington, and our nation as a whole, there needs to be an all-hands-on-deck approach to crack down on opioid trafficking,” said Rep. Newhouse. “State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies need additional resources and improved coordination to tackle this issue head on and make our communities safer. This legislation builds off of my Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025 because ending the fentanyl crisis must be a bipartisan effort. I thank Rep. Larsen for providing additional legislation to continue fighting this epidemic.” According to preliminary data , in 2025 there were 2,170 fatal opioid overdoses in Washington state, a 12.8% decrease from 2024, and 11,122 suspected opioid overdose emergency department visits, a 16.6% decrease from 2024. What Are Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Forces? In Washington state and around the country, law enforcement agencies partner across jurisdictions to form task forces that coordinate information, resources and staff to target the illegal distribution of drugs at the local and regional levels. Washington state currently has 16 active multi-jurisdictional task forces (MJTFs). For example, the Whatcom County Drug Task Force is staffed by investigative personnel from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations and Bellingham Police Department, with support from local police departments in Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden and Sumas; the U.S. Border Patrol; the Washington State Patrol; and the Washington State Department of Corrections. The Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) program is the leading source of federal justice funding for states, tribes and local governments supporting a range of criminal legal system improvement and community advancement initiatives, including MJTFs. In 2023, Washington state announced it was reducing funds it historically guaranteed for MJTFs through the Byrne JAG program. At the time, Larsen, Gluesenkamp Perez, Newhouse and four other members of Washington’s congressional delegation sent a letter to Governor Jay Inslee to emphasize the importance of Byrne JAG funding to continuing the work of Washington’s 16 MJTFs. Without guaranteeing an alternative source of funding, task forces across Washington state are at immediate risk of closure and those that remain open will need to greatly reduce their working capacity. The End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act would establish a dedicated funding stream to ensure these MJTFs have the resources they need. What Does the Bill Do? The End Fentanyl Trafficking with Local Task Forces Act would: Expand and formalize an existing Department of Justice (DOJ) program administered by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office – the Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) – to fund multi-jurisdictional task forces to target opioid trafficking. Help law enforcement expand partnerships across federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies to address opioid trafficking. Allow funds to be used to create new, or expand existing, muti-jurisdictional drug task forces; hire and train law enforcement offices and other support employees; procure equipment, technology, and support systems; and pay overtime. Require 40 percent of funding to be made directly available to Indian Tribes (20 percent) and MJTFs (20 percent), which will help promote local law enforcement goals and limit the administrative burdens and additional requirements associat