# 2026-08088: Sentencing Rules Overhaul: Help Shape Federal Punishments by June Deadline

2026-08088, Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts, is a Federal Register notice from United States Sentencing Commission published 2026-04-24, effective Written public comment regarding the proposed amendment and issues for comment set forth in this notice should be received by the Commission not later than June 18, 2026. Public comment regarding the proposed amendment received after the close of the comment period may not be considered. (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08088
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-08088
- Title: Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: United States Sentencing Commission
- Citation: 91 FR 22228
- Published: 2026-04-24
- Effective: Written public comment regarding the proposed amendment and issues for comment set forth in this notice should be received by the Commission not later than June 18, 2026. Public comment regarding the proposed amendment received after the close of the comment period may not be considered.
- Comments close: 2026-06-18
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

Sentencing Rules Overhaul: Help Shape Federal Punishments by June Deadline

## 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.

## Abstract

The United States Sentencing Commission is considering promulgating an amendment to the sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary. This notice sets forth the proposed amendment and a synopsis of the issues addressed by the proposed amendment. This notice also sets forth several issues for comment together with the proposed amendment.

## Effects PRIA read

- New Sentencing Boost for Drone Use: cost, high. 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: cost, high. 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: cost, high. 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;…
- Felony Penalties Doubled or +5 Years When Drones Used: cost, high. 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…

## Related documents

- [2026-11906](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-11906): Proposed Priorities for Amendment Cycle, 2026-06-12
- [2026-08647](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08647): Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts, 2026-05-04
- [2026-19193](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19193): Request for Applications; Victims' Rights Advisory Group, 2026-09-18
- [2026-19192](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19192): Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts, 2026-09-18
- [2026-18007](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-18007): Requests for Applications; Practitioners Advisory Group, 2026-09-03
- [2026-17994](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17994): Rules of Practice and Procedure, 2026-09-03

## Sources
- [2026-08088 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/24/2026-08088/sentencing-guidelines-for-united-states-courts)
- [2026-08088 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-24/pdf/2026-08088.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-08087, AGL Private Credit Income Fund, et al.](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08087)
- [Next: 2026-08089, City of Idaho Falls, Idaho; Notice of Application for a License Variance Accept…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08089)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08088 (as of 2026-06-08).