Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ)
Combatting Auto Robbery at the Source Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill is called the Combatting Auto Robbery at the Source Act of 2026. It directs the Attorney General to set up a National Auto Theft Bureau inside the Department of Justice. The main job of this new bureau is to serve as a national hub for sharing auto theft information among police agencies. It will also provide training and resources to law enforcement, private industries, and the public. Additionally, the bureau will run a pilot program to help State and local police collect information and share best practices. The bill authorizes $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund this pilot program.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +4
Does this change how police departments operate?
The bill establishes a National Auto Theft Bureau to facilitate information sharing and best practices among law enforcement agencies.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
The legislation provides resources and guidance to private industry to help protect vehicles and combat auto theft.
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The newly established bureau will provide resources and recommendations to private industry on how to combat auto theft.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund a new pilot program.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better Information Sharing: Under Section 2(b)(1), the new bureau will act as a national repository and help set up real-time information sharing agreements between Federal, State, and local police. This is good because it helps law enforcement across the country work together more effectively to fight car thefts.
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Helpful Training and Resources: According to Section 2(b)(2), the bureau will provide training, resources, and recommendations to the public, private industry, and law enforcement on stopping auto theft. This helps everyday people and businesses learn practical ways to protect their vehicles.
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Support for Local Police: As outlined in Section 2(b)(3) and Section 2(c), a pilot program funded with $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 will be established to help State and local law enforcement collect information and use best practices. This gives local departments extra support and funding to tackle crime in our communities.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Financial Cost to Taxpayers: Under Section 2(c), the bill authorizes $10,000,000 to be appropriated for fiscal year 2027 to run the pilot program. This is a potential negative or burden because it requires taxpayer money to fund the new initiative.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this change how police departments operate? — The bill establishes a National Auto Theft Bureau to facilitate information sharing and best practices among law enforcement agencies.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The legislation provides resources and guidance to private industry to help protect vehicles and combat auto theft.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation creates a new federal bureau within the Department of Justice to coordinate auto theft investigations.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The newly established bureau will provide resources and recommendations to private industry on how to combat auto theft. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill authorizes an appropriation of $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2027 to fund a new pilot program.
- 10/22/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Nicole MalliotakisRepublican · New York