Sentencing Rules Overhaul: Help Shape Federal Punishments by June Deadline
Published Date: 4/24/2026
Notice
Summary
The United States Sentencing Commission is proposing changes to the rules that judges use to decide punishments in federal courts. These updates could affect anyone involved in federal cases by changing how sentences are decided. The public can share their thoughts by June 18, 2026, before the Commission finalizes any changes that might impact sentencing fairness and consistency.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
New Sentencing Boost for Drone Use
The Commission proposes a new guideline, Sec. 3B.1.6, that would raise the sentencing offense level for crimes involving unmanned aircraft. The proposal calls for a tiered adjustment of a 6-level increase in some cases and a 4-level increase in other cases for using an unmanned aircraft.
Repeat Airspace Violations Can Become Felonies
The SAFER SKIES Act creates a felony for repeat violations of 49 U.S.C. 46307. A one-time violation remains a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by up to one year), but a second or subsequent conviction carries a new maximum penalty of five years.
Longer Penalties for Using Drones to Send Prison Contraband
The Act raises statutory maximums under 18 U.S.C. 1791 for providing contraband to prisoners when the contraband was provided using an unmanned aircraft. The law increases the maximum penalty by five years for those convicted who 'knowingly used an unmanned aircraft' to deliver prohibited objects; statutory maximums under section 1791 previously ranged from six months to twenty years depending on the contraband.
Felony Penalties Doubled or +5 Years When Drones Used
The Act provides that if a person convicted of a felony (other than one based solely on aircraft operation) knowingly operated an unmanned aircraft during or in furtherance of that felony, the statutory maximum for that felony is doubled or increased by five years, whichever is less. Congress also directed the Sentencing Commission to 'substantially increase' guideline ranges for offenses involving unmanned aircraft.
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