Grant program to improve clearance rates

Full Title:
VICTIM Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill creates a new grant program at the Department of Justice to help state, Tribal, and local law enforcement improve clearance rates (the share of crimes that are solved) for homicides and firearm-related violent crimes. The grants can pay for hiring, training, forensics, technology, victim services, and other steps meant to raise clearance rates. The bill also sets reporting, auditing, and evaluation rules and authorizes funding.

  • Main change: The Attorney General must set up a grant program in the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within 180 days of enactment to fund projects that aim to improve clearance rates for homicides and firearm-related violent crimes.
  • Grants may fund hiring and retention of investigators, evidence collection and forensic testing, technology and equipment, data analysis (including Gun Violence Problem Analysis), victim services, trauma-informed interviewing, and civil rights safeguards.
  • Applicants are judged solely on their plan to improve clearance rates, and funding must be distributed across rural and urban areas.
  • The bill authorizes up to $60 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031, with at least 5% each year reserved for Tribal agencies and 5% for rural agencies.
  • Grant recipients must report yearly on activities, staffing, technology purchases, clearance-rate data, and demographic data of victims and suspects. The National Institute of Justice must evaluate practices every two years and report results to Congress.
  • The Department of Justice Inspector General will audit recipients; recipients with unresolved audit findings can be barred from future grants.

What it means for you#

  • State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies: May apply for grants to hire investigators, forensic staff, or buy equipment. Agencies must submit an application describing how the grant will improve clearance rates. They must report annually on use of funds, staffing, technology, and clearance outcomes.
  • Small and rural agencies: The bill requires at least 5% of funds each year go to rural agencies, and the Attorney General must try to distribute funds widely by geography and agency size. The bill also calls for a streamlined application process designed to be completable in about 2 hours.
  • Tribal law enforcement and Tribal prosecutors: At least 5% of each year’s funds must go to Tribal entities.
  • Victims and families of victims: Grants can fund victim services such as emergency housing, counseling, legal advice, and language or disability access. Agencies must report on which services are used and what additional services are needed.
  • Investigators, forensic staff, and contractors: Grants can fund hiring, training, and retention. Agencies must try to check applicants’ past disciplinary records using national decertification or accountability databases when hiring.
  • Taxpayers / Federal budget: Congress is authorized to appropriate $60 million per year for five years to support the program (see Expenses).
  • Public oversight: Recipients are audited by the DOJ Inspector General. The National Institute of Justice will evaluate which practices actually improve clearance rates.

Expenses#

Estimated public cost: The bill authorizes up to $60,000,000 per year for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 (a total authorization of $300,000,000 over five years). This is an authorization to be appropriated; actual spending depends on future appropriations.

  • Direct federal funding authorized: $60 million per year, FY2027–FY2031.
  • Mandatory set-asides: at least 5% per year for Tribal entities and at least 5% per year for rural agencies.
  • Administrative costs: grant administration within DOJ, audits by the DOJ Inspector General, and NIJ evaluations will have costs (not separately itemized in the bill).
  • Recipient costs: agencies receiving grants must meet reporting and audit requirements. Grants must supplement, not replace, existing federal or non-federal funds.
  • No separate fiscal note or detailed cost breakdown is included in the bill text beyond the authorization amounts.

Proponents' View#

  • The bill appears intended to increase the share of homicides and firearm-related violent crimes that are solved by funding investigators, forensics, and data-driven analysis.
  • Supporters may argue the grant program will strengthen investigative capacity (hiring, training, equipment) where it is needed.
  • The bill could improve services for victims and families by funding counseling, emergency needs, and access supports.
  • Regular audits and NIJ evaluations could identify successful practices and promote wider adoption of evidence-based methods.
  • Set-asides and distribution criteria aim to ensure Tribal, rural, urban, and small agencies can access funds.

Opponents' View#

  • One concern is cost: the bill authorizes $60 million per year, but the bill does not give a detailed fiscal breakdown beyond that authorization.
  • The bill allows purchase of investigative and forensic technology but does not detail limits on specific kinds of technology; it requires internal policies to protect civil rights, but it is unclear how those protections will be enforced in practice.
  • The requirement that the Attorney General “consider solely” the applicant’s plan to improve clearance rates could sideline other standard DOJ grant criteria; this may raise questions about how broader policy goals will be weighed.
  • Reporting and audit requirements could create administrative burdens for small or resource-limited agencies applying for or managing grants.
  • The mandatory exclusion for recipients with unresolved audit findings could bar agencies from future funding even while audit issues are being resolved; the bill does not explain processes for dispute resolution or reclaiming eligibility.