- The Commission promulgates guidelines that judges consult when sentencing federal offenders. When the guidelines are amended, a subsequent Guidelines Manual is published.
- In this section, you will find the Commission’s comprehensive archive of yearly amendments and Guidelines Manuals dating back to 1987.
Synthetic Drugs
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2018-2019 Priorities
June 2018
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Priorities
The Commission has proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2019 and has requested public comment...
Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress - 2018 Amendments
May 2018
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
The Commission submitted to Congress amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines with an effective date of November...
Public Meeting - April 12, 2018
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
A public meeting of the Commission was held on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. (ET) pursuant to Rule 3.2 of the...
April 12, 2018
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission adopts 2018 amendments; new classes of synthetic drugs and increases to fentanyl penalties...
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
Reply Comment from March 28, 2018
March 2018
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
The Commission received reply comment on proposed amendments related to synthetic drugs. (83 FR 3869)
Public Hearing - March 14, 2018
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
A public hearing was held on March 14, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. (ET) to receive testimony on proposed amendments related to...
Public Comment from March 6, 2018
March 2018
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
The Commission received comment on proposed amendments related to synthetic drugs. (83 FR 3869)
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2018 Amendments
January 2018
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
The Commission has proposed amendments to the guidelines and has requested public comment. Public comment will be...
January 19, 2018
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission proposes package of synthetic drugs amendments; new classes of synthetic drugs and increases...
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Public Meeting - January 19, 2018
Video
January 2018
On January 19, 2018, the Commission held a public meeting and voted to publish additional proposed amendments to the...
Synthetic Drugs Data Briefing
Data Briefing
January 2018
Watch this data briefing, which provides information related to the trafficking of synthetic cathinones, synthetic...
Public Hearing - December 5, 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
A public hearing was held to receive testimony on fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and synthetic cannabinoids.
Issue for Comment from November 13, 2017
November 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
The Commission received comment on fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. (82 FR 47322)
Issue for Comment from October 27, 2017
October 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
The Commission received comment on Synthetic Cathinones, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), and Synthetic Cannabinoids. (82 FR...
Federal Register Notice of October 2017 Issue for Comment
October 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
The Commission is seeking comment on a policy priority pertaining to fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. Public comment...
Public Hearing - October 4, 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
A public hearing was held to receive testimony on synthetic cathinones.
Public Hearing - October 4, 2017
Video
October 2017
On October 4, 2017, the Commission received testimony from experts on synthetic cathinones, including their chemical...
Federal Register Notice of August 2017 Issue for Comment
August 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
The Commission is seeking comment on a policy priority pertaining to synthetic cathinones, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC),...
Federal Register Notice of Final 2017-2018 Priorities
August 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
The Commission has finalized policy priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2018. 82 FR 39949
August 17, 2017
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission announces its list of 2017-2018 policy priorities, proposes "holdover" amendments.
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
Proposed Amendments
Proposed 2017 Holdover Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines
August 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Public Meeting - August 17, 2017
Video
August 2017
On August 17, 2017, the Commission held a public meeting to finalize priorities for the 2017-2018 amendment year. The...
Federal Register Notice of Issue for Comment on Synthetic Drugs
June 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Priorities
The Commission is requesting public comment on issues related to MDMA/Ecstasy and methylone. Public comment should be...
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2017-2018 Priorities
June 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Priorities
The Commission has proposed priorities for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2018 and has requested public comment...
Public Hearing - April 18, 2017
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
A public hearing was held to receive testimony on synthetic drugs and alternatives to incarceration court programs.
Public Hearing - April 18, 2017
Video
April 2017
On April 18, 2017, the Commission received testimony on alternatives to incarceration programs in the federal court...
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2017 Amendments
December 2016
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
The Commission has proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines and has requested public comment. Public...
Federal Register Notice of 2017 Issue for Comment
December 2016
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
The Commission is seeking comment on a policy priority pertaining to MDMA/Ecstasy, synthetic cannabinoids, and...
Public Meeting - December 9, 2016
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Commissioners voted to publish proposed amendments to the federal sentencing guidelines.
December 9, 2016
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission holds last public meeting of the current commission, proposes 2017 amendments to the federal...
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Proposed 2017 Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines
December 2016
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Federal Register Notice of Final 2017 Priorities
August 2016
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
After reviewing public comment, the Commission has identified its policy priorities for the upcoming amendment cycle...
August 18, 2016
Press Releases
U.S. Sentencing Commission announces its list of 2016-2017 policy priorities.
Amendment Cycle:
Final Priorities
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2017 Priorities and Request for Public Comment
June 2016
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Priorities
The Commission is seeking comment on possible priority policy issues for the amendment cycle ending May 1, 2017 (81 FR...
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2015 Amendments to Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Commentary and Request for Public Comment
January 2015
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress of Amendments to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Effective November 1, 2012
May 2012
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
April 13, 2012
Press Releases
- Commission promulgates amendments for the 2011-2012 amendment cycle.
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
Federal Register Notice of Proposed Amendments to Federal Sentencing Guidelines, Policy Statements, and Commentary, Request for Public Comment
January 2012
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2011 Priorities and Request for Public Comment
January 2011
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Priorities
Federal Register Notice of submission to Congress of amendments to the sentencing guidelines effective November 1, 2006
May 2006
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
Federal Register Notice of temporary, emergency amendment to sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and commentary
March 2006
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
Federal Register Notice of proposed 2006 amendments, request for comment, notice of public hearings
January 2006
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
January 27, 2006
Press Releases
- U.S. Sentencing Commission Seeks Comment on Sentencing Guidelines For Terrorism, Firearms, Steroids, and Immigration...
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Federal Register Notice of Submission to Congress 2004 Amendments
May 2004
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2003 Amendments, Request for Comment
December 2003
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Federal Register Notice of Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts.
June 2001
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...
April 16, 2001
Press Releases
- Sentencing Commission Increases Penalties for High Dollar Fraud Offenders, Sexual Predators, and Ecstasy Traffickers...
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
Federal Register Notice of Proposed 2001 Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines and Request for Public Comment; Notice of Public Hearing
January 2001
Amendment Cycle:
Proposed Amendments
Adopted Amendments
BAC2210-40/2211-01 UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts AGENCY: United...
April 25, 1997
Press Releases
- Flunitrazepam – “Date Rape” Drug.
Amendment Cycle:
Adopted Amendments
Public Comment from August 10, 2018