Peace Officers Research Association of California

Federal Advocacy

NDAA Amendments and PSOB Reform Take Center Stage

Law Enforcement-Related Amendments to the NDAA Proposed

Every year, the House and Senate set defense authorization levels and policies in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Because the NDAA is considered “must-pass” legislation, it is used as a vehicle for other bills, which are often tacked onto the measure as amendments. This summer, efforts are underway to include the PORAC-endorsed bills below:

  • Combating Illicit Xylazine Act (H.R. 1266 / S. 545)—This bill would classify xylazine as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act, while protecting its legitimate use by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers.
  • Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 (H.R. 7718 / S. 3897)—This bill would amend the PSOB program to speed up benefit determinations and reduce the current claims backlog.
  • Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025 (S. 825)—This bill would direct the Department of Justice to develop treatment programs for first responders who suffer from PTSD or acute stress disorders.
  • Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (H.R. 2853 / S. 1404)—This bill would improve the federal response to organized retail crime and establish new tools to recover stolen goods.
  • STOP CSAM Act of 2025 (S. 1829 / H.R. 3921)—This bill would allow victims of child sexual abuse material to sue companies that host it.

The House passed its version of the NDAA in July, with progress slightly stalled in the Senate. While it’s not yet clear whether these bills will make it into the final package, PORAC will continue pressing for their inclusion and passage in meetings with members of Congress and their staff.

New PSOB Bill Introduced

This Congress, there have been several legislative efforts to reform the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program. PORAC has supported several of these proposals, recognizing the program’s value in helping families of fallen officers and its current structural limitations.

In December, two bills that adjusted eligibility for the PSOB program—the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (S. 237 / H.R. 1269) and the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act (S. 911 / H.R. 1236)—were signed into law. The first bill expanded eligibility to first responders who pass away or become permanently disabled from service-related cancers, while the second included targeted attacks resulting from officers’ service. Both bills were enacted as amendments to last year’s NDAA.

In addition, PORAC has endorsed legislation to address delays in benefit determinations, backlogs in processing claims, and narrow definitions of survivors. The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 (S. 3897 / H.R. 7718) and Tax Relief for First Responder Beneficiaries Act (S. 4497 / H.R. 9308) address these shortcomings and establish meaningful reforms, such as setting a deadline for determinations, expediting processing for some cases, and updating definitions in the tax code. PORAC appreciates the ongoing dedication of Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Reps. Dave Min (D-CA-47) and Randy Weber (R-TX-14)—the bipartisan, bicameral coalition behind both bills.

In July, Reps. Lou Correa (D-CA-46) and Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ-2) built on these efforts with the introduction of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Enhancement Act (H.R. 9845). The bill extends the time period for heart attacks and strokes covered under the PSOB program and shifts the burden of proving causation off of survivors. It changes the presumption so that qualifying events are covered unless medical evidence indicates otherwise, alleviating a hardship for grieving families. PORAC was proud to contribute feedback on the bill during the drafting phase.

PORAC will continue pushing for reforms that reinforce and fulfill the PSOB program’s purpose—supporting the families of those who have made the greatest sacrifice.

Xylazine Bill Advances in the House

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act (H.R. 1266 / S. 545), led by Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19) and August Pfluger (R-TX-11), continued its steady progress in the House in July. The bill would classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act and give the DEA additional tools to track and combat its unlawful distribution, while protecting the drug’s legitimate use as an animal tranquilizer by veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers.

In a substantial step forward this month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously reported the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act to the full House. Its Senate companion sits in a similar position, awaiting consideration by the full Senate after being reported out of the Judiciary Committee earlier this year. This legislation has broad support and decent prospects for advancement this session, whether through the NDAA or the regular legislative process.