Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts, 25996-26012 [2014-10264]

Agencies

• United States Sentencing Commission

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 87 (Tuesday, May 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25996-26012]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-10264]


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UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION


Sentencing Guidelines for United States Courts

AGENCY: United States Sentencing Commission.

ACTION: Notice of (1) submission to Congress of amendments to the 
sentencing guidelines effective November 1, 2014; and (2) request for 
comment.

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SUMMARY: The United States Sentencing Commission hereby gives notice of 
the following actions:
    (1) Pursuant to its authority under 28 U.S.C. 994(p), the 
Commission has promulgated amendments to the sentencing guidelines, 
policy statements, commentary, and statutory index. This notice sets 
forth the amendments and the reason for each amendment.
    (2) Amendment 3, pertaining to drug offenses, has the effect of 
lowering guideline ranges. The Commission requests comment regarding 
whether that amendment, or any part thereof, should be included in 
subsection (c) of Sec.  1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of Imprisonment as a 
Result of Amended Guideline Range (Policy Statement)) as an amendment 
that may be applied retroactively to previously sentenced defendants. 
This notice sets forth the request for comment.

DATES: The Commission has specified an effective date of November 1, 
2014, for the amendments set forth in this notice. Public comment 
regarding whether Amendment 3, pertaining to drug offenses, should be 
included as an amendment that may be applied retroactively to 
previously sentenced defendants should be received on or before July 7, 
2014.

ADDRESSES: Public comment should be sent to the Commission by 
electronic mail or regular mail. The email address

[[Page 25997]]

for public comment is Public_Comment@ussc.gov. The regular mail 
address for public comment is United States Sentencing Commission, One 
Columbus Circle NE., Suite 2-500, Washington, DC 20002-8002, Attention: 
Public Affairs-Retroactivity Public Comment.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeanne Doherty, Public Affairs 
Officer, (202) 502-4502, jdoherty@ussc.gov. The amendments and the 
request for comment set forth in this notice also may be accessed 
through the Commission's Web site at www.ussc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Sentencing Commission is 
an independent agency in the judicial branch of the United States 
Government. The Commission promulgates sentencing guidelines and policy 
statements for federal sentencing courts pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(a). 
The Commission also periodically reviews and revises previously 
promulgated guidelines pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(o) and generally 
submits guideline amendments to Congress pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(p) 
not later than the first day of May each year. Absent action of 
Congress to the contrary, submitted amendments become effective by 
operation of law on the date specified by the Commission (generally 
November 1 of the year in which the amendments are submitted to 
Congress).

(1) Submission to Congress of Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines

    Notice of proposed amendments was published in the Federal Register 
on January 17, 2014 (see 79 FR 3279-300). The Commission held public 
hearings on the proposed amendments in Washington, DC, on February 13, 
2014, and March 13, 2014. On April 30, 2014, the Commission submitted 
these amendments to Congress and specified an effective date of 
November 1, 2014.

(2) Request for Comment on Amendment 3, Pertaining to Drug Offenses

    Section 3582(c)(2) of title 18, United States Code, provides that 
``in the case of a defendant who has been sentenced to a term of 
imprisonment based on a sentencing range that has subsequently been 
lowered by the Sentencing Commission pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(o), upon 
motion of the defendant or the Director of the Bureau of Prisons, or on 
its own motion, the court may reduce the term of imprisonment, after 
considering the factors set forth in section 3553(a) to the extent that 
they are applicable, if such a reduction is consistent with applicable 
policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission.''
    The Commission lists in Sec.  1B1.10(c) the specific guideline 
amendments that the court may apply retroactively under 18 U.S.C. 
3582(c)(2). The background commentary to Sec.  1B1.10 lists the purpose 
of the amendment, the magnitude of the change in the guideline range 
made by the amendment, and the difficulty of applying the amendment 
retroactively to determine an amended guideline range under Sec.  
1B1.10(b) as among the factors the Commission considers in selecting 
the amendments included in Sec.  1B1.10(c). To the extent practicable, 
public comment should address each of these factors, in addition to 
other matters suggested in the request for comment below.

    Authority: 28 U.S.C. 994(a), (o), (p), and (u); USSC Rules of 
Practice and Procedure 4.1, 4.3.

Patti B. Saris,
Chair.

(1) Submission to Congress of Amendments to the Sentencing Guidelines

    1. Amendment: Section 1B1.10 is amended in each of subsections 
(a)(1), (a)(2)(A), (a)(2)(B), and (b)(1) by striking ``subsection (c)'' 
each place such term appears and inserting ``subsection (d)''; by 
redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and by inserting after 
subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):
    ``(c) Cases Involving Mandatory Minimum Sentences and Substantial 
Assistance.--If the case involves a statutorily required minimum 
sentence and the court had the authority to impose a sentence below the 
statutorily required minimum sentence pursuant to a government motion 
to reflect the defendant's substantial assistance to authorities, then 
for purposes of this policy statement the amended guideline range shall 
be determined without regard to the operation of Sec.  5G1.1 
(Sentencing on a Single Count of Conviction) and Sec.  5G1.2 
(Sentencing on Multiple Counts of Conviction).''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  1B1.10 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Notes 1(A), 2, and 4 by striking ``subsection (c)'' each 
place such term appears and inserting ``subsection (d)''; by 
redesignating Notes 4 through 6 as Notes 5 through 7, respectively; and 
by inserting after Note 3 the following new Note 4:
    ``4. Application of Subsection (c).--As stated in subsection (c), 
if the case involves a statutorily required minimum sentence and the 
court had the authority to impose a sentence below the statutorily 
required minimum sentence pursuant to a government motion to reflect 
the defendant's substantial assistance to authorities, then for 
purposes of this policy statement the amended guideline range shall be 
determined without regard to the operation of Sec.  5G1.1 (Sentencing 
on a Single Count of Conviction) and Sec.  5G1.2 (Sentencing on 
Multiple Counts of Conviction). For example:
    (A) Defendant A is subject to a mandatory minimum term of 
imprisonment of 120 months. The original guideline range at the time of 
sentencing was 135 to 168 months, which is entirely above the mandatory 
minimum, and the court imposed a sentence of 101 months pursuant to a 
government motion to reflect the defendant's substantial assistance to 
authorities. The court determines that the amended guideline range as 
calculated on the Sentencing Table is 108 to 135 months. Ordinarily, 
Sec.  5G1.1 would operate to restrict the amended guideline range to 
120 to 135 months, to reflect the mandatory minimum term of 
imprisonment. For purposes of this policy statement, however, the 
amended guideline range remains 108 to 135 months.
    To the extent the court considers it appropriate to provide a 
reduction comparably less than the amended guideline range pursuant to 
subsection (b)(2)(B), Defendant A's original sentence of 101 months 
amounted to a reduction of approximately 25 percent below the minimum 
of the original guideline range of 135 months. Therefore, an amended 
sentence of 81 months (representing a reduction of approximately 25 
percent below the minimum of the amended guideline range of 108 months) 
would amount to a comparable reduction and may be appropriate.
    (B) Defendant B is subject to a mandatory minimum term of 
imprisonment of 120 months. The original guideline range at the time of 
sentencing (as calculated on the Sentencing Table) was 108 to 135 
months, which was restricted by operation of Sec.  5G1.1 to a range of 
120 to 135 months. See Sec.  5G1.1(c)(2). The court imposed a sentence 
of 90 months pursuant to a government motion to reflect the defendant's 
substantial assistance to authorities. The court determines that the 
amended guideline range as calculated on the Sentencing Table is 87 to 
108 months. Ordinarily, Sec.  5G1.1 would operate to restrict the 
amended guideline range to precisely

[[Page 25998]]

120 months, to reflect the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment. See 
Sec.  5G1.1(b). For purposes of this policy statement, however, the 
amended guideline range is considered to be 87 to 108 months (i.e., 
unrestricted by operation of Sec.  5G1.1 and the statutory minimum of 
120 months).
    To the extent the court considers it appropriate to provide a 
reduction comparably less than the amended guideline range pursuant to 
subsection (b)(2)(B), Defendant B's original sentence of 90 months 
amounted to a reduction of approximately 25 percent below the original 
guideline range of 120 months. Therefore, an amended sentence of 65 
months (representing a reduction of approximately 25 percent below the 
minimum of the amended guideline range of 87 months) would amount to a 
comparable reduction and may be appropriate.''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  1B1.10 captioned ``Background'' is amended 
by striking ``subsection (c)'' both places such term appears and 
inserting ``subsection (d)''.
    Reason for Amendment: This amendment clarifies an application issue 
that has arisen with respect to Sec.  1B1.10 (Reduction in Term of 
Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range) (Policy 
Statement). Circuits have conflicting interpretations of when, if at 
all, Sec.  1B1.10 provides that a statutory minimum continues to limit 
the amount by which a defendant's sentence may be reduced under 18 
U.S.C. Sec.  3582(c)(2) when the defendant's original sentence was 
below the statutory minimum due to substantial assistance.
    This issue arises in two situations. First, there are cases in 
which the defendant's original guideline range was above the mandatory 
minimum but the defendant received a sentence below the mandatory 
minimum pursuant to a government motion for substantial assistance. For 
example, consider a case in which the mandatory minimum was 240 months, 
the original guideline range was 262 to 327 months, and the defendant's 
original sentence was 160 months, representing a 39 percent reduction 
for substantial assistance below the bottom of the guideline range. In 
a sentence reduction proceeding pursuant to Amendment 750, the amended 
guideline range as determined on the Sentencing Table is 168 to 210 
months, but after application of the ``trumping'' mechanism in Sec.  
5G1.1 (Sentencing on a Single Count of Conviction), the mandatory 
minimum sentence of 240 months is the guideline sentence. See Sec.  
5G1.1(b). Section 1B1.10(b)(2)(B) provides that such a defendant may 
receive a comparable 39 percent reduction from the bottom of the 
amended guideline range, but circuits are split over what to use as the 
bottom of the range.
    The Eighth Circuit has taken the view that the bottom of the 
amended guideline range in such a case would be 240 months, i.e., the 
guideline sentence that results after application of the ``trumping'' 
mechanism in Sec.  5G1.1. See United States v. Golden, 709 F.3d 1229, 
1231-33 (8th Cir. 2013). In contrast, the Seventh Circuit has taken the 
view that the bottom of the amended guideline range in such a case 
would be 168 months, i.e., the bottom of the amended range as 
determined by the Sentencing Table, without application of the 
``trumping'' mechanism in Sec.  5G1.1. See United States v. Wren, 706 
F.3d 861, 863 (7th Cir. 2013). Each circuit found support for its view 
in an Eleventh Circuit decision, United States v. Liberse, 688 F.3d 
1198 (11th Cir. 2012), which also discussed this issue.
    Second, there are cases in which the defendant's original guideline 
range as determined by the Sentencing Table was, at least in part, 
below the mandatory minimum, and the defendant received a sentence 
below the mandatory minimum pursuant to a government motion for 
substantial assistance. In these cases, the ``trumping'' mechanism in 
Sec.  5G1.1 operated at the original sentence to restrict the guideline 
range to be no less than the mandatory minimum. For example, consider a 
case in which the original Sentencing Table guideline range was 140 to 
175 months but the mandatory minimum was 240 months, resulting (after 
operation of Sec.  5G1.1) in a guideline sentence of 240 months. The 
defendant's original sentence was 96 months, representing a 60 percent 
reduction for substantial assistance below the statutory and guideline 
minimum. In a sentence reduction proceeding, the amended Sentencing 
Table guideline range is 110 to 137 months, resulting (after operation 
of Sec.  5G1.1) in a guideline sentence of 240 months. Section 
1B1.10(b)(2)(B) provides that such a defendant may receive a reduction 
from the bottom of the amended guideline range, but circuits are split 
over what to use as the bottom of the range.
    The Eleventh Circuit, the Sixth Circuit, and the Second Circuit 
have taken the view that the bottom of the amended range in such a case 
would remain 240 months, i.e., the guideline sentence that results 
after application of the ``trumping'' mechanism in Sec.  5G1.1. See 
United States v. Glover, 686 F.3d 1203, 1208 (11th Cir. 2012); United 
States v. Joiner, 727 F.3d 601 (6th Cir. 2013); United States v. 
Johnson, 732 F.3d 109 (2d Cir. 2013). Under these decisions, the 
defendant in the example would have an original range of 240 months and 
an amended range of 240 months, and would not be eligible for any 
reduction because the range has not been lowered. In contrast, the 
Third Circuit and the District of Columbia Circuit have taken the view 
that the bottom of the amended range in such a case would be 110 
months, i.e., the bottom of the Sentencing Table guideline range. See 
United States v. Savani, 733 F.3d 56, 66-7 (3d Cir. 2013); In re Sealed 
Case, 722 F.3d 361, 369-70 (D.C. Cir. 2013).
    The amendment generally adopts the approach of the Third Circuit in 
Savani and the District of Columbia Circuit in In re Sealed Case. It 
amends Sec.  1B1.10 to specify that, if the case involves a statutorily 
required minimum sentence and the court had the authority to impose a 
sentence below the statutorily required minimum sentence pursuant to a 
government motion to reflect the defendant's substantial assistance to 
authorities, then for purposes of Sec.  1B1.10 the amended guideline 
range shall be determined without regard to the operation of Sec.  
5G1.1 and Sec.  5G1.2. The amendment also adds a new application note 
with examples.
    This clarification ensures that defendants who provide substantial 
assistance to the government in the investigation and prosecution of 
others have the opportunity to receive the full benefit of a reduction 
that accounts for that assistance. See USSG App. C. Amend 759 (Reason 
for Amendment). As the Commission noted in the reason for that 
amendment: ``The guidelines and the relevant statutes have long 
recognized that defendants who provide substantial assistance are 
differently situated than other defendants and should be considered for 
a sentence below a guideline or statutory minimum even when defendants 
who are otherwise similar (but did not provide substantial assistance) 
are subject to a guideline or statutory minimum. Applying this 
principle when the guideline range has been reduced and made available 
for retroactive application under section 3582(c)(2) appropriately 
maintains this distinction and furthers the purposes of sentencing.'' 
Id.
    2. Amendment: Section 2A2.2(b) is amended by redesignating 
paragraphs (4) through (6) as paragraphs (5) through (7), respectively; 
and by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph (4):

[[Page 25999]]

    ``(4) If the offense involved strangling, suffocating, or 
attempting to strangle or suffocate a spouse, intimate partner, or 
dating partner, increase by 3 levels.
    However, the cumulative adjustments from application of 
subdivisions (2), (3), and (4) shall not exceed 12 levels.''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2A2.2 captioned ``Statutory Provisions'' is 
amended by inserting after ``113(a)(2), (3), (6),'' the following: 
``(8),''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2A2.2 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 1 by striking ``or (C)'' and inserting ``(C) 
strangling, suffocating, or attempting to strangle or suffocate; or 
(D)''; and by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
    `` `Strangling' and 'suffocating' have the meaning given those 
terms in 18 U.S.C. Sec.  113.
    `Spouse,' `intimate partner,' and `dating partner' have the meaning 
given those terms in 18 U.S.C. Sec.  2266.'';
    and in Note 4 by striking ``(b)(6)'' and inserting ``(b)(7)''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2A2.2 captioned ``Background'' is amended 
in the first paragraph by striking ``minor assaults'' and inserting 
``other assaults''; by striking the comma after ``serious bodily 
injury'' and inserting a semicolon; and by striking the comma after 
``cause bodily injury'' and inserting ``; strangling, suffocating, or 
attempting to strangle or suffocate;'';
    and in the paragraph that begins ``Subsection'' by striking 
``(b)(6)'' both places it appears and inserting ``(b)(7)''.
    Section 2A2.3 is amended in the heading by striking ``Minor 
Assault'' and inserting ``Assault''.
    Section 2A2.3(b)(1) is amended by inserting after ``substantial 
bodily injury to'' the following: ``a spouse, intimate partner, or 
dating partner, or''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2A2.3 captioned ``Statutory Provisions'' is 
amended by inserting after ``112,'' the following: ``113(a)(4), (5), 
(7),''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2A2.3 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 1 by striking the paragraph that begins `` `Minor 
assault' means'' and inserting the following new paragraph:
    `` `Spouse,' `intimate partner,' and `dating partner' have the 
meaning given those terms in 18 U.S.C. Sec.  2266.''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2A2.3 captioned ``Background'' is amended 
by striking ``Minor assault and battery are covered by this section.'' 
and inserting the following: ``This section applies to misdemeanor 
assault and battery and to any felonious assault not covered by Sec.  
2A2.2 (Aggravated Assault).''.
    Section 2A6.2(b)(1) is amended by striking ``(C)'' and inserting 
``(C) strangling, suffocating, or attempting to strangle or suffocate; 
(D)''; by striking ``(D) a pattern'' and inserting ``(E) a pattern''; 
and by striking ``these aggravating factors'' and inserting 
``subdivisions (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E)''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2A6.2 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 1 by striking the paragraph that begins ``'Stalking' 
means'' and inserting the following new paragraph:
    `` `Stalking' means conduct described in 18 U.S.C. Sec.  2261A.'';
    and by adding at the end of Note 1 the following new paragraph:
    `` `Strangling' and `suffocating' have the meaning given those 
terms in 18 U.S.C. Sec.  113.'';
    and in Notes 3 and 4 by striking ``(b)(1)(D)'' each place such term 
appears and inserting ``(b)(1)(E)''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2B1.5 captioned ``Statutory Provisions'' is 
amended by striking ``1152-1153,''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2B2.1 captioned ``Statutory Provisions'' is 
amended by striking ``1153,''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2H3.1 captioned ``Statutory Provisions'' is 
amended by striking ``1375a(d)(3)(C), (d)(5)(B);'' and inserting 
``1375a(d)(5)(B)(i), (ii);''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2K1.4 captioned ``Statutory Provisions'' is 
amended by striking ``1153,''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  5D1.1 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 3 by adding at the end the following:
    ``(D) Domestic Violence.--If the defendant is convicted for the 
first time of a domestic violence crime as defined in 18 U.S.C. Sec.  
3561(b), a term of supervised release is required by statute. See 18 
U.S.C. Sec.  3583(a). Such a defendant is also required by statute to 
attend an approved rehabilitation program, if available within a 50-
mile radius of the legal residence of the defendant. See 18 U.S.C. 
Sec.  3583(d); Sec.  5D1.3(a)(3). In any other case involving domestic 
violence or stalking in which the defendant is sentenced to 
imprisonment, it is highly recommended that a term of supervised 
release also be imposed.''
    Appendix A (Statutory Index) is amended by striking the line 
referenced to 8 U.S.C. Sec.  1375a(d)(3)(C), (d)(5)(B) and inserting 
the following new line references:
``8 U.S.C. Sec.  1375a(d)(5)(B)(i) 2H3.1
8 U.S.C. Sec.  1375a(d)(5)(B)(ii) 2H3.1
8 U.S.C. Sec.  1375a(d)(5)(B)(iii) 2B1.1'';

    in the line referenced to 18 U.S.C. 113(a)(1) by adding ``, 2A3.1'' 
at the end;
    in the line referenced to 18 U.S.C. 113(a)(2) by adding ``, 2A3.2, 
2A3.3, 2A3.4'' at the end;
    after the line referenced to 18 U.S.C. 113(a)(3) by inserting the 
following new line reference:
    ``18 U.S.C. Sec.  113(a)(4) 2A2.3'';
    after the line referenced to 18 U.S.C. 113(a)(7) by inserting the 
following new line reference:
    ``18 U.S.C. Sec.  113(a)(8) 2A2.2'';
    by striking the lines referenced to 18 U.S.C. Sec. Sec.  1152 and 
1153;
    by inserting after the line referenced to 18 U.S.C. 1593A the 
following new line reference:
    ``18 U.S.C. Sec.  1597 2X5.2''; and
    by striking the lines referenced to 18 U.S.C. 2423(a) and (b) and 
inserting the following new line reference:
    ``18 U.S.C. Sec.  2423(a)-(d) 2G1.3''.
    Reason for Amendment: This amendment responds to recent statutory 
changes made by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 
(the ``Act''), Public Law 113-4 (March 7, 2013), which provided new and 
expanded criminal offenses and increased penalties for certain crimes 
pertaining to assault, sexual abuse, stalking, domestic violence, and 
human trafficking.
    The Act established new assault offenses and enhanced existing 
assault offenses at 18 U.S.C. 113 (Assaults within maritime and 
territorial jurisdiction). In general, section 113 sets forth a range 
of penalties for assaults within the special maritime and territorial 
jurisdiction of the United States. The legislative history of the Act 
indicates that Congress intended many of these changes to allow federal 
prosecutors to address domestic violence against Native American women 
more effectively. Such violence often occurs in a series of incidents 
of escalating seriousness.
    First, the amendment responds to changes in sections 113(a)(1) and 
(a)(2). Section 113(a)(1) prohibits assault with intent to commit 
murder, and the Act amended it to also prohibit assault with intent to 
commit a violation of 18 U.S.C. 2241 (Aggravated sexual abuse) or 2242 
(Sexual abuse), with a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of 20 
years. Section 113(a)(2) prohibits assault with intent to commit any 
felony except murder, and prior to the Act had also excluded assault 
with intent to commit a violation of Chapter 109A, including sections 
2241, 2242, 2243 (Sexual abuse of a minor or ward) and 2244 (Abusive 
sexual contact), with a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of 10 
years. The Act amended section 113(a)(2) to prohibit assault with 
intent to commit any felony except murder or a violation of section 
2241 or 2242. The effect of the statutory change is that an assault 
with intent to commit a violation

[[Page 26000]]

of section 2243 or 2244 may now be prosecuted under section 113(a)(2). 
Offenses under section 2241 and 2242 are referenced to Sec.  2A3.1 
(Criminal Sexual Abuse; Attempt to Commit Criminal Sexual Abuse), and 
offenses under section 2243 and 2244 are referenced to Sec. Sec.  2A3.2 
(Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Minor Under the Age of Sixteen Years 
(Statutory Rape) or Attempt to Commit Such Acts); 2A3.3 (Criminal 
Sexual Abuse of a Ward or Attempt to Commit Such Acts); and 2A3.4 
(Abusive Sexual Contact or Attempt to Commit Abusive Sexual Contact).
    The amendment amends Appendix A (Statutory Index) to reference the 
expanded offense conduct prohibited by 18 U.S.C. 113(a)(1) to 2A3.1 and 
to reference the expanded offense conduct prohibited by 18 U.S.C. 
113(a)(2) to 2A3.2, 2A3.3, and 2A3.4. The Commission concluded that an 
assault offense committed with the intent to commit a sexual abuse 
offense is analogous to, and in some cases more serious than, an 
attempted sexual abuse offense under Chapter 109A, and the criminal 
sexual abuse guidelines which apply to attempted sexual abuse offenses 
were therefore appropriate for this conduct.
    Second, the Act increased the statutory maximum penalty for 
violations of 18 U.S.C. 113(a)(4) from six months to one year of 
imprisonment. Section 113(a)(4) prohibits an assault by striking, 
beating, or wounding. Because the crime had been categorized as a Class 
B misdemeanor, Appendix A did not previously include a reference for 
section 113(a)(4). The amendment adds such a reference to Sec.  2A2.3 
(Assault). The Commission determined that Sec.  2A2.3 will provide 
appropriate punishment that is consistent with the statutory maximum 
term of imprisonment, while sufficiently addressing the possible levels 
of bodily harm that may result to victims in individual cases of 
assault by striking, beating, or wounding.
    Third, the Act expanded 18 U.S.C. 113(a)(7), which prohibits 
assaults resulting in substantial bodily injury to an individual who 
has not attained the age of sixteen years, to also apply to assaults 
resulting in substantial bodily injury to a spouse, intimate partner, 
or dating partner, and provides a statutory maximum term of 
imprisonment of five years. Offenses under section 113(a)(7) are 
referenced in Appendix A to Sec.  2A2.3 (Assault). The amendment 
broadened the scope of Sec.  2A2.3(b)(1)(B), which provides a 4-level 
enhancement if the offense resulted in substantial bodily injury to an 
individual under the age of sixteen years, to also provide a 4-level 
enhancement if the offense resulted in substantial bodily injury to a 
spouse, intimate partner, or dating partner. The Commission determined 
that because the expanded assaultive conduct of a victim of domestic 
violence has the same statutory maximum term of imprisonment, the same 
enhancement was warranted as for assaults of individuals under the age 
of sixteen resulting in substantial bodily injury.
    Fourth, the Act created a new section 113(a)(8) in title 18, which 
prohibits the assault of a spouse, intimate partner, or dating partner 
by strangulation, suffocation, or attempting to strangle or suffocate, 
with a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of ten years. After 
reviewing legislative history, public comment, testimony at a public 
hearing on February 13, 2014, and data, the Commission determined that 
strangulation and suffocation of a spouse, intimate partner, or dating 
partner represents a significant harm not addressed by existing 
guidelines and specific offense characteristics.
    Comment and testimony that the Commission received indicated that 
strangulation and suffocation in the domestic violence context is 
serious conduct that warrants enhanced punishment regardless of whether 
it results in a provable injury that would lead to a bodily injury 
enhancement; this conduct harms victims physically and psychologically 
and can be a predictor of future serious or lethal violence. Testimony 
and data also indicated that cases of strangulation and suffocation 
often involve other bodily injury to a victim separate from the 
strangulation and suffocation. Congress specifically addressed 
strangulation and suffocation in the domestic violence context, and 
testimony and data indicated that almost all cases involving this 
conduct occur in that context and that strangulation and suffocation is 
most harmful in such cases.
    Accordingly, the amendment amends Appendix A to reference section 
113(a)(8) to Sec.  2A2.2 (Aggravated Assault) and amends the Commentary 
to Sec.  2A2.2 to provide that the term ``aggravated assault'' includes 
an assault involving strangulation, suffocation, or an attempt to 
strangle or suffocate. The amendment amends Sec.  2A2.2 to provide a 3-
level enhancement at Sec.  2A2.2(b)(4) for strangling, suffocating, or 
attempting to strangle or suffocate a spouse, intimate partner, or 
dating partner. The amendment also provides that the cumulative impact 
of the enhancement for use of a weapon at Sec.  2A2.2(b)(2), bodily 
injury at Sec.  2A2.2(b)(3), and strangulation or suffocation at Sec.  
2A2.2(b)(4) is capped at 12 levels. The Commission determined that the 
cap would assure that these three specific offense characteristics, 
which data suggests co-occur frequently, will enhance the ultimate 
sentence without leading to an excessively severe result.
    Although the amendment refers section 113(a)(8) offenses to Sec.  
2A2.2, it also amends Sec.  2A6.2 (Stalking or Domestic Violence) to 
address cases involving strangulation, suffocation, or attempting to 
strangle or suffocate, as a conforming change. The amendment adds 
strangulation and suffocation as a new aggravating factor at Sec.  
2A6.2(b)(1), which results in a 2-level enhancement, or in a 4-level 
enhancement if it applies in conjunction with another aggravating 
factor such as bodily injury or the use of a weapon.
    Fifth, the amendment removes the term ``minor assault'' from the 
Guidelines Manual. Misdemeanor assaults and other felonious assaults 
are referenced to Sec.  2A2.3, which prior to this amendment was titled 
``Minor Assault.'' Informed by public comment, the Commission 
determined that use of the term ``minor'' is inconsistent with the 
severity of the underlying crimes and does a disservice to the victims 
and communities affected. Therefore, the amendment changes the title of 
Sec.  2A2.3 to ``Assault,'' and it removes other references to ``minor 
assault'' from the Background and Commentary sections of Sec. Sec.  
2A2.2 and 2A2.3. This is a stylistic change that does not affect the 
application of Sec.  2A2.3.
    Sixth, the amendment amended the Commentary to Sec.  5D1.1 
(Imposition of a Term of Supervised Release) to provide additional 
guidance on the imposition of supervised release for domestic violence 
and stalking offenders. The amendment describes the statutory 
requirements pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3583(a) if a defendant is convicted 
for the first time of a domestic violence offense as defined in 18 
U.S.C. 3561(b). Under section 3583, a term of supervised release is 
required, and the defendant is also required to attend an approved 
rehabilitation program if one is available within a 50-mile radius from 
the defendant's residence.
    The Commission received public comment and testimony that 
supervised release should be recommended in every case of domestic 
violence and stalking, and the Commission's sentencing data showed that 
in more than ninety percent of the cases sentenced under Sec.  2A6.2, 
supervised release was imposed. Based on this comment, testimony, and 
data, the amendment amends the Commentary to Sec.  5D1.1 to provide 
that in any other case

[[Page 26001]]

involving either a domestic violence or a stalking offense, it is 
``highly recommended'' that a term of supervised release be imposed.
    Seventh, the amendment responds to changes made by the Act amending 
the federal statutes related to stalking and domestic violence. For the 
crimes of interstate domestic violence (18 U.S.C. 2261), stalking (18 
U.S.C. 2261A), and interstate violation of a protective order (18 
U.S.C. 2262), the Act expanded the scope of each offense to provide 
that a defendant's mere presence in a special maritime or territorial 
jurisdiction is sufficient for purposes of satisfying the 
jurisdictional element of the crimes. The Act also revised the 
prohibited conduct set forth in section 2261A to now include stalking 
with intent to ``intimidate'' the victim, and it added the use of an 
``electronic communication service'' or ``electronic communication 
system'' as prohibited means of committing the crime.
    The amendment updates the definition of ``stalking'' in Sec.  2A6.2 
to reflect these changes by tying the definition to the conduct 
described in 18 U.S.C. 2261A. The Commission determined that such a 
change would simplify the application of Sec.  2A6.2, while also 
ensuring that the definition of stalking remains consistent with any 
future statutory changes.
    Eighth, the Act amended 8 U.S.C. 1375a (Regulation of international 
marriage brokers) by reorganizing existing offenses and increasing the 
statutory maximum term of imprisonment for knowing violations of the 
regulations concerning marriage brokers from one year to five years. 
The Act also added a new criminal provision for ``knowingly and with 
intent to defraud another person outside of the United States in order 
to recruit, solicit, entice, or induce that person into entering a 
dating or matrimonial relationship,'' making false or fraudulent 
representations regarding the background information required to be 
provided to an international marriage brokers. The new offense has a 
statutory maximum term of imprisonment of one year. The amendment 
referenced this new offense in Appendix A to Sec.  2B1.1 (Larceny, 
Embezzlement, and Other Forms of Theft; Offenses Involving Stolen 
Property; Property Damage or Destruction; Fraud and Deceit; Forgery; 
Offenses involving Altered or Counterfeit Instruments Other than 
Counterfeit Bearer Obligations of the United States). The Commission 
concluded that Sec.  2B1.1 is the appropriate guideline because the 
elements of the new offense include fraud and deceit. The amendment 
also amended Appendix A by revising the other criminal subsections, 
which continue to be referred to Sec.  2H3.1 (Interception of 
Communications; Eavesdropping; Disclosure of Certain Private or 
Protected Information), to accord with the reorganization of the 
statute.
    Ninth, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, 
passed as part of the Act, included a provision expanding subsection 
(c) of 18 U.S.C. 2423 (Transportation of minors), which had previously 
prohibited U.S. citizens or permanent residents who traveled abroad 
from engaging in illicit sexual conduct. After the Act, the same 
prohibition now also applies to those individuals who reside 
temporarily or permanently in a foreign country and engage in such 
conduct. Section 2423 contains four offenses, set forth in subsections 
(a) through (d), each of which prohibits sexual conduct with minors. 
Prior to the amendment, Appendix A referenced sections 2423(a) and 
2423(b) to Sec.  2G1.3 (Commercial Sex Act or Prohibited Sexual Conduct 
with a Minor; Transportation of Minors; Travel to Engage in Commercial 
Sex or Prohibited Sexual Conduct with a Minor; Sex Trafficking of 
Children), but provided no reference for sections 2423(c) or 2423(d), 
which prohibits arranging, inducing, procuring, or facilitating the 
travel of a person for illicit sexual conduct, for the purpose of 
commercial advantage or financial gain. Both subsections (c) and (d) 
provide a 30 year statutory maximum term of imprisonment.
    The amendment adds references in Appendix A for 18 U.S.C. 2423(c) 
and (d). Based on the seriousness of the prohibited conduct, the 
severity of the penalties, and the vulnerability of the victims 
involved, the Commission concluded that 18 U.S.C. 2423(c) and (d) 
should also be referenced in Appendix A to Sec.  2G1.3.
    Tenth, the Act created a new Class A misdemeanor offense at 18 
U.S.C. 1597 prohibiting the knowing destruction, concealment, 
confiscation or possession of an actual or purported passport or other 
immigration documents of another individual if done in the course of 
violating or with the intent to violate 18 U.S.C. 1351, relating to 
fraud in foreign labor contracting, or 8 U.S.C. 1324, relating to 
bringing in or harboring certain aliens. The new offense also prohibits 
this conduct if it is done in order to, without lawful authority, 
maintain, prevent, or restrict the labor or services of the individual, 
and the knowing obstruction, attempt to obstruct, or interference with 
or prevention of the enforcement of section 1597. Section 1597 has a 
statutory maximum term of imprisonment of one year.
    The amendment references this misdemeanor offense to Sec.  2X5.2 
(Class A Misdemeanors (Not Covered by Another Specific Offense 
Guideline)). This reference comports with the Commission's intent when 
it promulgated Sec.  2X5.2, as stated in Amendment 685 (effective 
November 1, 2006), that the Commission will reference new Class A 
misdemeanor offenses either to Sec.  2X5.2 or to another, more specific 
Chapter Two guideline, if appropriate. The Commission determined that 
with a base offense level of 6, Sec.  2X5.2 covers the range of 
sentencing possibilities that are available for defendants convicted of 
this offense, regardless of their criminal history. The Commission may 
consider referencing section 1597 to another substantive guideline in 
the future after more information becomes available regarding the type 
of conduct that constitutes the typical violation and the aggravating 
or mitigating factors that may apply.
    Finally, the amendment removes from Appendix A the guideline 
references for two jurisdictional statutes in title 18 related to 
crimes committed within Indian country. Section 1152, also known as the 
General Crimes Act, grants federal jurisdiction for federal offenses 
committed by non-Indians within Indian country. Section 1153, also 
known as the Major Crimes Act, grants federal jurisdiction over Indians 
who commit certain enumerated offenses within Indian country. The Act 
expanded section 1153 to include any felony assault under section 113. 
Because sections 1152 and 1153 are simply jurisdictional statutes that 
do not provide substantive offenses, the Commission determined there is 
no need for Appendix A to provide a guidelines reference for those 
statutes.
    3. Amendment: Section 2D1.1(c) is amended by striking paragraph 
(17); by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (16) as paragraphs (2) 
through (17), respectively; and by inserting before paragraph (2) (as 
so redesignated) the following new paragraph (1):
    ``(1)  90 KG or more of Heroin; Level 38
     450 KG or more of Cocaine;
     25.2 KG or more of Cocaine Base;
     90 KG or more of PCP, or 9 KG or more of PCP (actual);
     45 KG or more of Methamphetamine, or 4.5 KG or more of 
Methamphetamine (actual), or 4.5 KG or more of `Ice';

[[Page 26002]]

     45 KG or more of Amphetamine, or 4.5 KG or more of 
Amphetamine (actual);
     900 G or more of LSD;
     36 KG or more of Fentanyl;
     9 KG or more of a Fentanyl Analogue;
     90,000 KG or more of Marihuana;
     18,000 KG or more of Hashish;
     1,800 KG or more of Hashish Oil;
     90,000,000 units or more of Ketamine;
     90,000,000 units or more of Schedule I or II Depressants;
     5,625,000 units or more of Flunitrazepam.''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(2) (as so redesignated) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(2)  At least 30 KG but less than 90 KG of Heroin; Level 
36
     At least 150 KG but less than 450 KG of Cocaine;
     At least 8.4 KG but less than 25.2 KG of Cocaine Base;
     At least 30 KG but less than 90 KG of PCP, or at least 3 
KG but less than 9 KG of PCP (actual);
     At least 15 KG but less than 45 KG of Methamphetamine, or 
at least 1.5 KG but less than 4.5 KG of Methamphetamine (actual), or at 
least 1.5 KG but less than 4.5 KG of `Ice';
     At least 15 KG but less than 45 KG of Amphetamine, or at 
least 1.5 KG but less than 4.5 KG of Amphetamine (actual);
     At least 300 G but less than 900 G of LSD;
     At least 12 KG but less than 36 KG of Fentanyl;
     At least 3 KG but less than 9 KG of a Fentanyl Analogue;
     At least 30,000 KG but less than 90,000 KG of Marihuana;
     At least 6,000 KG but less than 18,000 KG of Hashish;
     At least 600 KG but less than 1,800 KG of Hashish Oil;
     At least 30,000,000 units but less than 90,000,000 units 
of Ketamine;
     At least 30,000,000 units but less than 90,000,000 units 
of Schedule I or II Depressants;
     At least 1,875,000 units but less than 5,625,000 units of 
Flunitrazepam.''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(3) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 36'' and inserting ``Level 34''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(4) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 34'' and inserting ``Level 32''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(5) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 32'' and inserting ``Level 30''; and by inserting before the 
line referenced to Flunitrazepam the following:
    `` 1,000,000 units or more of Schedule III Hydrocodone;''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(6) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 30'' and inserting ``Level 28''; and in the line referenced to 
Schedule III Hydrocode by striking ``700,000 or more'' and inserting 
``At least 700,000 but less than 1,000,000''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(7) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 28'' and inserting ``Level 26''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(8) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 26'' and inserting ``Level 24''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(9) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 24'' and inserting ``Level 22''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(10) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 22'' and inserting ``Level 20''; and by inserting before the 
line referenced to Flunitrazepam the following:
    `` 60,000 units or more of Schedule III substances (except 
Ketamine or Hydrocodone);''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(11) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 20'' and inserting ``Level 18''; and in the line referenced to 
Schedule III substances (except Ketamine or Hydrocodone) by striking 
``40,000 or more'' and inserting ``At least 40,000 but less than 
60,000''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(12) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 18'' and inserting ``Level 16''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(13) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 16'' and inserting ``Level 14''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(14) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 14'' and inserting ``Level 12''; by striking the line 
referenced to Heroin and all that follows through the line referenced 
to Fentanyl Analogue and inserting the following:
    ``(14)  Less than 10 G of Heroin; Level 12
     Less than 50 G of Cocaine;
     Less than 2.8 G of Cocaine Base;
     Less than 10 G of PCP, or less than 1 G of PCP (actual);
     Less than 5 G of Methamphetamine, or less than 500 MG of 
Methamphetamine (actual), or less than 500 MG of `Ice';
     Less than 5 G of Amphetamine, or less than 500 MG of 
Amphetamine (actual);
     Less than 100 MG of LSD;
     Less than 4 G of Fentanyl;
     Less than 1 G of a Fentanyl Analogue;'';
    by striking the period at the end of the line referenced to 
Flunitrazepam and inserting a semicolon; and by adding at the end the 
following:
    `` 80,000 units or more of Schedule IV substances (except 
Flunitrazepam).''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(15) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 12'' and inserting ``Level 10''; by striking the line 
referenced to Heroin and all that follows through the line referenced 
to Fentanyl Analogue; and in the line referenced to Schedule IV 
substances (except Flunitrazepam) by striking ``40,000 or more'' and 
inserting ``At least 40,000 but less than 80,000''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(16) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 10'' and inserting ``Level 8''; in the line referenced to 
Flunitrazepam by striking ``At least 62 but less'' and inserting 
``Less''; by striking the period at the end of the line referenced to 
Schedule IV substances (except Flunitrazepam) and inserting a 
semicolon; and by adding at the end the following:
    `` 160,000 units or more of Schedule V substances.''.
    Section 2D1.1(c)(17) (as so redesignated) is amended to read as 
follows:
    ``(17)  Less than 1 KG of Marihuana; Level 6
     Less than 200 G of Hashish;
     Less than 20 G of Hashish Oil;
     Less than 1,000 units of Ketamine;
     Less than 1,000 units of Schedule I or II Depressants;
     Less than 1,000 units of Schedule III Hydrocodone;
     Less than 1,000 units of Schedule III substances (except 
Ketamine or Hydrocodone);
     Less than 16,000 units of Schedule IV substances (except 
Flunitrazepam);
     Less than 160,000 units of Schedule V substances.''.
    The annotation to Sec.  2D1.1(c) captioned ``Notes to Drug Quantity 
Table'' is amended in Note (E) by striking ``100 G'' and inserting 
``100 grams''; in Note (F) by striking ``0.5 ml'' and ``25 mg'' and 
inserting ``0.5 milliliters'' and ``25 milligrams'', respectively; and 
in Note (G) by striking ``0.4 mg'' and inserting ``0.4 milligrams''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2D1.1 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 8(A) by striking ``1 gm'', ``5 kg'', ``100 gm'', and 
``500 kg'' and inserting ``1 gram'', ``5 kilograms'', ``100 grams'', 
and ``500 kilograms'', respectively, and by striking ``28'' and 
inserting ``26'';
    in Note 8(B) by striking ``999 grams'' and inserting ``2.49 
kilograms'';
    in Note 8(C)(i) by striking ``22'' and inserting ``20'', by 
striking ``18'' and inserting ``16'', and by striking ``24'' and 
inserting ``22'';
    in Note 8(C)(ii) by striking ``8'' both places such term appears 
and inserting ``6'', by striking ``five kilograms'' and inserting 
``10,000 units'', and by striking ``10'' and inserting ``8'';

[[Page 26003]]

    in Note 8(C)(iii) by striking ``16'' and inserting ``14'', by 
striking ``14'' and inserting ``12'', and by striking ``18'' and 
inserting ``16'';
    in Note 8(C)(iv) by striking ``56,000'' and inserting ``76,000'', 
by striking ``100,000'' and inserting ``200,000'', by striking 
``200,000'' and inserting ``600,000'', by striking ``56'' and inserting 
``76'', by striking ``59.99'' and inserting ``79.99'', by striking 
``4.99'' and inserting ``9.99'', by striking ``6.25'' and inserting 
``12.5'', by striking ``999 grams'' and inserting ``2.49 kilograms'', 
by striking ``1.25'' and inserting ``3.75'', by striking ``59.99'' and 
inserting ``79.99'', and by striking ``61.99 (56 + 4.99 + .999)'' and 
inserting ``88.48 (76 + 9.99 + 2.49)'';
    in Note 8(D), under the heading relating to Schedule III Substances 
(except ketamine and hydrocodone), by striking ``59.99'' and inserting 
``79.99''; under the heading relating to Schedule III Hydrocodone, by 
striking ``999.99'' and inserting ``2,999.99''; under the heading 
relating to Schedule IV Substances (except flunitrazepam) by striking 
``4.99'' and inserting ``9.99''; and under the heading relating to 
Schedule V Substances by striking ``999 grams'' and inserting ``2.49 
kilograms'';
    and in Note 9 by striking ``500 mg'' and ``50 gms'' and inserting 
``500 milligrams'' and ``50 grams'', respectively.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2D1.1 captioned ``Background'' is amended 
in the paragraph that begins ``The base offense levels in Sec.  2D1.1'' 
by striking ``32 and 26'' and inserting ``30 and 24''; and by striking 
the paragraph that begins ``The base offense levels at levels 26 and 
32'' and inserting the following new paragraph:
    ``The base offense levels at levels 24 and 30 establish guideline 
ranges such that the statutory minimum falls within the range; e.g., 
level 30 ranges from 97 to 121 months, where the statutory minimum term 
is ten years or 120 months.''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2D1.2 captioned ``Application Note'' is 
amended in Note 1 by striking ``16'' and inserting ``14''; and by 
striking ``17'' and inserting ``15''.
    Section 2D1.11(d) is amended by striking paragraph (14); by 
redesignating paragraphs (1) through (13) as paragraphs (2) through 
(14), respectively; and by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so 
redesignated) the following new paragraph (1):
    ``(1) 9 KG or more of Ephedrine; Level 38
    9 KG or more of Phenylpropanolamine;
    9 KG or more of Pseudoephedrine.''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(2) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 38'' and inserting ``Level 36''; and by striking ``3 KG or 
more'' each place such term appears and inserting ``At least 3 KG but 
less than 9 KG''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(3) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 36'' and inserting ``Level 34''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(4) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 34'' and inserting ``Level 32''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(5) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 32'' and inserting ``Level 30''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(6) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 30'' and inserting ``Level 28''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(7) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 28'' and inserting ``Level 26''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(8) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 26'' and inserting ``Level 24''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(9) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 24'' and inserting ``Level 22''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(10) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 22'' and inserting ``Level 20''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(11) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 20'' and inserting ``Level 18''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(12) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 18'' and inserting ``Level 16''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(13) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 16'' and inserting ``Level 14''.
    Section 2D1.11(d)(14) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 14'' and inserting ``Level 12''; and by striking ``At least 500 
MG but less'' each place such term appears and inserting ``Less''.
    Section 2D1.11(e) is amended by striking paragraph (10); by 
redesignating paragraphs (1) through (9) as paragraphs (2) through 
(10), respectively; and by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so 
redesignated) the following new paragraph (1):
    ``(1) List I Chemicals Level 30
    2.7 KG or more of Benzaldehyde;
    60 KG or more of Benzyl Cyanide;
    600 G or more of Ergonovine;
    1.2 KG or more of Ergotamine;
    60 KG or more of Ethylamine;
    6.6 KG or more of Hydriodic Acid;
    3.9 KG or more of Iodine;
    960 KG or more of Isosafrole;
    600 G or more of Methylamine;
    1500 KG or more of N-Methylephedrine;
    1500 KG or more of N-Methylpseudoephedrine;
    1.9 KG or more of Nitroethane;
    30 KG or more of Norpseudoephedrine;
    60 KG or more of Phenylacetic Acid;
    30 KG or more of Piperidine;
    960 KG or more of Piperonal;
    4.8 KG or more of Propionic Anhydride;
    960 KG or more of Safrole;
    1200 KG or more of 3, 4-Methylenedioxyphenyl-2-propanone;
    3406.5 L or more of Gamma-butyrolactone;
    2.1 KG or more of Red Phosphorus, White Phosphorus, or 
Hypophosphorous Acid.''.
    Section 2D1.11(e)(2) (as so redesignated) is amended to read as 
follows:

``(2) List I Chemicals Level 28

    At least 890 G but less than 2.7 KG of Benzaldehyde;
    At least 20 KG but less than 60 KG of Benzyl Cyanide;
    At least 200 G but less than 600 G of Ergonovine;
    At least 400 G but less than 1.2 KG of Ergotamine;
    At least 20 KG but less than 60 KG of Ethylamine;
    At least 2.2 KG but less than 6.6 KG of Hydriodic Acid;
    At least 1.3 KG but less than 3.9 KG of Iodine;
    At least 320 KG but less than 960 KG of Isosafrole;
    At least 200 G but less than 600 G of Methylamine;
    At least 500 KG but less than 1500 KG of N-Methylephedrine;
    At least 500 KG but less than 1500 KG of N-Methylpseudoephedrine;
    At least 625 G but less than 1.9 KG of Nitroethane;
    At least 10 KG but less than 30 KG of Norpseudoephedrine;
    At least 20 KG but less than 60 KG of Phenylacetic Acid;
    At least 10 KG but less than 30 KG of Piperidine;
    At least 320 KG but less than 960 KG of Piperonal;
    At least 1.6 KG but less than 4.8 KG of Propionic Anhydride;
    At least 320 KG but less than 960 KG of Safrole;
    At least 400 KG but less than 1200 KG of 3, 4-Methylenedioxyphenyl-
2-propanone;
    At least 1135.5 L but less than 3406.5 L of Gamma-butyrolactone;
    At least 714 G but less than 2.1 KG of Red Phosphorus, White 
Phosphorus, or Hypophosphorous Acid.

List II Chemicals

    33 KG or more of Acetic Anhydride;
    3525 KG or more of Acetone;
    60 KG or more of Benzyl Chloride;
    3225 KG or more of Ethyl Ether;
    3600 KG or more of Methyl Ethyl Ketone;

[[Page 26004]]

    30 KG or more of Potassium Permanganate;
    3900 KG or more of Toluene.''.
    Section 2D1.11(e)(3) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 28'' and inserting ``Level 26''; and, under the heading 
relating to List II Chemicals, by striking the line referenced to 
Acetic Anhydride and all that follows through the line referenced to 
Toluene and inserting the following:
    ``At least 11 KG but less than 33 KG of Acetic Anhydride;
    At least 1175 KG but less than 3525 KG of Acetone;
    At least 20 KG but less than 60 KG of Benzyl Chloride;
    At least 1075 KG but less than 3225 KG of Ethyl Ether;
    At least 1200 KG but less than 3600 KG of Methyl Ethyl Ketone;
    At least 10 KG but less than 30 KG of Potassium Permanganate;
    At least 1300 KG but less than 3900 KG of Toluene.''.
    Section 2D1.11(e)(4) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 26'' and inserting ``Level 24''.
    Section 2D1.11(e)(5) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 24'' and inserting ``Level 22''.
    Section 2D1.11(e)(6) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 22'' and inserting ``Level 20''.
    Section 2D1.11(e)(7) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 20'' and inserting ``Level 18''.
    Section 2D1.11(e)(8) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 18'' and inserting ``Level 16''.
    Section 2D1.11(e)(9) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 16'' and inserting ``Level 14''.
    Section 2D1.11(e)(10) (as so redesignated) is amended by striking 
``Level 14'' and inserting ``Level 12''; and in each line by striking 
``At least'' and all that follows through ``but less'' and inserting 
``Less''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2D1.11 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 1(A) by striking ``38'' both places such term appears 
and inserting ``36'', and by striking ``26'' and inserting ``24''; and 
in Note 1(B) by striking ``32'' and inserting ``30''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  3B1.2 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 3(B) by striking ``14'' and inserting ``12''.
    The Commentary following Sec.  3D1.5 captioned ``Illustrations of 
the Operation of the Multiple-Count Rules'' is amended in Example 2 by 
striking ``26'' and inserting ``24''; and by striking ``28'' each place 
such term appears and inserting ``26''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  5G1.3 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 2(D) by striking ``40'' and inserting ``90''; by 
striking ``15'' and inserting ``25''; and by striking ``55'' and 
inserting ``115''.
    Reason for Amendment: This amendment revises the guidelines 
applicable to drug trafficking offenses by changing how the base 
offense levels in the Drug Quantity Table in Sec.  2D1.1 (Unlawful 
Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting or Trafficking (Including 
Possession with Intent to Commit These Offenses); Attempt or 
Conspiracy) incorporate the statutory mandatory minimum penalties for 
such offenses.
    When Congress passed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, Public Law 
99-570, the Commission responded by generally incorporating the 
statutory mandatory minimum sentences into the guidelines and 
extrapolating upward and downward to set guideline sentencing ranges 
for all drug quantities. The quantity thresholds in the Drug Quantity 
Table were set so as to provide base offense levels corresponding to 
guideline ranges that were slightly above the statutory mandatory 
minimum penalties. Accordingly, offenses involving drug quantities that 
trigger a five-year statutory minimum were assigned a base offense 
level (level 26) corresponding to a sentencing guideline range of 63 to 
78 months for a defendant in Criminal History Category I (a guideline 
range that exceeds the five-year statutory minimum for such offenses by 
at least three months). Similarly, offenses that trigger a ten-year 
statutory minimum were assigned a base offense level (level 32) 
corresponding to a sentencing guideline range of 121 to 151 months for 
a defendant in Criminal History Category I (a guideline range that 
exceeds the ten-year statutory minimum for such offenses by at least 
one month). The base offense levels for drug quantities above and below 
the mandatory minimum threshold quantities were extrapolated upward and 
downward to set guideline sentencing ranges for all drug quantities, 
see Sec.  2D1.1, comment. (backg'd.), with a minimum base offense level 
of 6 and a maximum base offense level of 38 for most drug types.
    This amendment changes how the applicable statutory mandatory 
minimum penalties are incorporated into the Drug Quantity Table while 
maintaining consistency with such penalties. See 28 U.S.C. 994(b)(1) 
(providing that each sentencing range must be ``consistent with all 
pertinent provisions of title 18, United States Code''); see also 28 
U.S.C. 994(a) (providing that the Commission shall promulgate 
guidelines and policy statements ``consistent with all pertinent 
provisions of any Federal statute'').
    Specifically, the amendment reduces by two levels the offense 
levels assigned to the quantities that trigger the statutory mandatory 
minimum penalties, resulting in corresponding guideline ranges that 
include the mandatory minimum penalties. Accordingly, offenses 
involving drug quantities that trigger a five-year statutory minimum 
are assigned a base offense level of 24 (51 to 63 months at Criminal 
History Category I, which includes the five-year (60 month) statutory 
minimum for such offenses), and offenses involving drug quantities that 
trigger a ten-year statutory minimum are assigned a base offense level 
of 30 (97 to 121 months at Criminal History Category I, which includes 
the ten-year (120 month) statutory minimum for such offenses). Offense 
levels for quantities above and below the mandatory minimum threshold 
quantities similarly are adjusted downward by two levels, except that 
the minimum base offense level of 6 and the maximum base offense level 
of 38 for most drug types is retained, as are previously existing 
minimum and maximum base offense levels for particular drug types.
    The amendment also makes parallel changes to the quantity tables in 
Sec.  2D1.11 (Unlawfully Distributing, Importing, Exporting or 
Possessing a Listed Chemical; Attempt or Conspiracy), which apply to 
offenses involving chemical precursors of controlled substances. 
Section 2D1.11 is generally structured to provide offense levels that 
are tied to, but less severe than, the base offense levels in Sec.  
2D1.1 for offenses involving the final product.
    In considering this amendment, the Commission held a hearing on 
March 13, 2014, and heard expert testimony from the Executive Branch, 
including the Attorney General and the Director of the Federal Bureau 
of Prisons, defense practitioners, state and local law enforcement, and 
interested community representatives. The Commission also received 
substantial written public comment, including from the Federal 
judiciary, members of Congress, academicians, community organizations, 
law enforcement groups, and individual members of the public.
    The Commission determined that setting the base offense levels 
slightly above the mandatory minimum penalties is no longer necessary 
to achieve its stated purpose. Previously, the Commission has stated 
that ``[t]he base offense levels are set at guideline ranges slightly 
higher than the

[[Page 26005]]

mandatory minimum levels [levels 26 and 32] to permit some downward 
adjustment for defendants who plead guilty or otherwise cooperate with 
authorities.'' However, changes in the law and recent experience with 
similar reductions in base offense levels for crack cocaine offenses 
indicate that setting the base offense levels above the mandatory 
minimum penalties is no longer necessary to provide adequate incentives 
to plead guilty or otherwise cooperate with authorities.
    In 1994, after the initial selection of levels 26 and 32, Congress 
enacted the ``safety valve'' provision, which applies to certain non-
violent drug defendants and allows the court, without a government 
motion, to impose a sentence below a statutory mandatory minimum 
penalty if the court finds, among other things, that the defendant 
``has truthfully provided to the Government all information and 
evidence the defendant has concerning the offense or offenses that were 
part of the same course of conduct or of a common scheme or plan.'' See 
18 U.S.C. Sec.  3553(f). The guidelines incorporate the ``safety 
valve'' at Sec.  5C1.2 (Limitation on Applicability of Statutory 
Minimum Sentences in Certain Cases) and, furthermore, provide a 2-level 
reduction if the defendant meets the ``safety valve'' criteria. See 
Sec. Sec.  2D1.1(b)(16).
    These statutory and guideline provisions, which are unrelated to 
the guideline range's relationship to the mandatory minimum, provide 
adequate incentive to plead guilty. Commission data indicate that 
defendants charged with a mandatory minimum penalty in fact are more 
likely to plead guilty if they qualify for the ``safety valve'' than if 
they do not. In fiscal year 2012, drug trafficking defendants charged 
with a mandatory minimum penalty had a plea rate of 99.6 percent if 
they qualified for the ``safety valve'' and a plea rate of 93.9 percent 
if they did not.
    Recent experience with similar reductions in the base offense 
levels for crack cocaine offenses indicates that the amendment should 
not negatively affect the rates at which offenders plead guilty or 
otherwise cooperate with authorities. Similar to this amendment, the 
Commission in 2007 amended the Drug Quantity Table for cocaine base 
(``crack'' cocaine) so that the quantities that trigger mandatory 
minimum penalties were assigned base offense levels 24 and 30, rather 
than 26 and 32. See USSG App. C, Amendment 706 (effective November 1, 
2007). In 2010, in implementing the emergency directive in section 8 of 
the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, Public Law 111-220, the Commission 
moved crack cocaine offenses back to a guideline penalty structure 
based on levels 26 and 32.
    During the period when crack cocaine offenses had a guideline 
penalty structure based on levels 24 and 30, the overall rates at which 
crack cocaine defendants pled guilty remained stable. Specifically, in 
the fiscal year before the 2007 amendment took effect, the plea rate 
for crack cocaine defendants was 93.1 percent. In the two fiscal years 
after the 2007 amendment took effect, the plea rates for such 
defendants were 95.2 percent and 94.0 percent, respectively. For those 
same fiscal years, the overall rates at which crack cocaine defendants 
received substantial assistance departures under Sec.  5K1.1 
(Substantial Assistance to Authorities) were 27.8 percent in the fiscal 
year before the 2007 amendment took effect and 25.3 percent and 25.6 
percent in the two fiscal years after the 2007 amendment took effect. 
This recent experience indicates that this amendment, which is similar 
in nature to the 2007 crack cocaine amendment, should not negatively 
affect the willingness of defendants to plead guilty or otherwise 
cooperate with authorities. See 28 U.S.C. 991(b) (specifying that 
sentencing policies are to ``reflect, to the extent practicable, 
advancement in knowledge of human behavior as it relates to the 
criminal justice process'').
    The amendment also reflects the fact that the guidelines now more 
adequately differentiate among drug trafficking offenders than when the 
Drug Quantity Table was initially established. Since the initial 
selection of offense levels 26 and 32, the guidelines have been amended 
many times--often in response to congressional directives--to provide a 
greater emphasis on the defendant's conduct and role in the offense 
rather than on drug quantity. The version of Sec.  2D1.1 in the 
original 1987 Guidelines Manual contained a single specific offense 
characteristic: a 2-level enhancement if a firearm or other dangerous 
weapon was possessed. Section 2D1.1 in effect at the time of this 
amendment contains fourteen enhancements and three downward adjustments 
(including the ``mitigating role cap'' provided in subsection (a)(5)). 
These numerous adjustments, both increasing and decreasing offense 
levels based on specific conduct, reduce the need to rely on drug 
quantity in setting the guideline penalties for drug trafficking 
offenders as a proxy for culpability, and the amendment permits these 
adjustments to differentiate among offenders more effectively.
    The amendment was also motived by the significant overcapacity and 
costs of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The Sentencing Reform Act 
directs the Commission to ensure that the sentencing guidelines are 
``formulated to minimize the likelihood that the Federal prison 
population will exceed the capacity of the Federal prisons.'' See 28 
U.S.C. Sec.  994(g). Reducing the federal prison population and the 
costs of incarceration has become an urgent consideration. The 
Commission observed that the federal prisons are now 32 percent 
overcapacity, and drug trafficking offenders account for approximately 
50 percent of the federal prison population (100,114 of 199,810 inmates 
as of October 26, 2013, for whom the Commission could determine the 
offense of conviction). Spending on federal prisons exceeds $6 billion 
a year, or more than 25 percent of the entire budget for the Department 
of Justice. The Commission received testimony from the Department of 
Justice and others that spending on federal prisons is now crowding out 
resources available for federal prosecutors and law enforcement, aid to 
state and local law enforcement, crime victim services, and crime 
prevention programs, all of which promote public safety.
    In response to these concerns, the Commission considered the 
amendment an appropriate step toward alleviating the overcapacity of 
the federal prisons. Based on an analysis of the 24,968 offenders 
sentenced under Sec.  2D1.1 in fiscal year 2012, the Commission 
estimates the amendment will affect the sentences of 17,457--or 69.9 
percent--of drug trafficking offenders sentenced under Sec.  2D1.1, and 
their average sentence will be reduced by 11 months--or 17.7 percent--
from 62 months to 51 months. The Commission estimates these sentence 
reductions will correspond to a reduction in the federal prison 
population of approximately 6,500 inmates within five years after its 
effective date.
    The Commission carefully weighed public safety concerns and, based 
on past experience, existing statutory and guideline enhancements, and 
expert testimony, concluded that the amendment should not jeopardize 
public safety. In particular, the Commission was informed by its 
studies that compared the recidivism rates for offenders who were 
released early as a result of retroactive application of the 
Commission's 2007 crack cocaine amendment with a control group of 
offenders who served their full terms of imprisonment. See USSG App. C, 
Amendment 713 (effective March 3, 2008). The Commission detected no 
statistically significant difference in the rates of recidivism for the 
two groups of

[[Page 26006]]

offenders after two years, and again after five years. This study 
suggests that modest reductions in drug penalties such as those 
provided by the amendment will not increase the risk of recidivism.
    Furthermore, existing statutory enhancements, such as those 
available under 18 U.S.C. 924(c), and guideline enhancements for 
offenders who possess firearms, use violence, have an aggravating role 
in the offense, or are repeat or career offenders, ensure that the most 
dangerous or serious offenders will continue to receive appropriately 
severe sentences. In addition, the Drug Quantity Table as amended still 
provides a base offense level of 38 for offenders who traffic the 
greatest quantities of most drug types and, therefore, sentences for 
these offenders will not be reduced. Similarly, the Drug Quantity Table 
as amended maintains minimum base offense levels that preclude 
sentences of straight probation for drug trafficking offenders with 
small quantities of most drug types.
    Finally, the Commission relied on testimony from the Department of 
Justice that the amendment would not undermine public safety or law 
enforcement initiatives. To the contrary, the Commission received 
testimony from several stakeholders that the amendment would permit 
resources otherwise dedicated to housing prisoners to be used to reduce 
overcrowding, enhance programming designed to reduce the risk of 
recidivism, and to increase law enforcement and crime prevention 
efforts, thereby enhancing public safety.
    4. Amendment: Section 2D1.1(b) is amended by redesignating 
paragraphs (14) through (16) as paragraphs (15) through (17), 
respectively; and by inserting after paragraph (13) the following new 
paragraph (14):
    ``(14) If (A) the offense involved the cultivation of marihuana on 
state or federal land or while trespassing on tribal or private land; 
and (B) the defendant receives an adjustment under Sec.  3B1.1 
(Aggravating Role), increase by 2 levels.''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2D1.1 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 16 by striking ``(b)(14)(D)'' and inserting 
``(b)(15)(D)''; by redesignating Notes 19 through 26 as Notes 20 
through 27, respectively; and by inserting after Note 18 the following 
new Note 19:
    ``19. Application of Subsection (b)(14).--Subsection (b)(14) 
applies to offenses that involve the cultivation of marihuana on state 
or federal land or while trespassing on tribal or private land. Such 
offenses interfere with the ability of others to safely access and use 
the area and also pose or risk a range of other harms, such as harms to 
the environment.
    The enhancements in subsection (b)(13)(A) and (b)(14) may be 
applied cumulatively (added together), as is generally the case when 
two or more specific offense characteristics each apply. See Sec.  
1B1.1 (Application Instructions), Application Note 4(A).'';
    in the heading of Note 20 (as so redesignated) by striking 
``(b)(14)'' and inserting ``(b)(15)'';
    in Note 20(A) (as so redesignated) by striking ``(b)(14)(B)'' both 
places such term appears and inserting ``(b)(15)(B)'';
    in Note 20(B) (as so redesignated) by striking ``(b)(14)(C)'' each 
place such term appears and inserting ``(b)(15)(C)'';
    in Note 20(C) (as so redesignated) by striking ``(b)(14)(E)'' both 
places such term appears and inserting ``(b)(15)(E)''; and
    in Note 21 (as so redesignated) by striking ``(b)(16)'' each place 
such term appears and inserting ``(b)(17)''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2D1.1 captioned ``Background'' is amended 
by striking ``(b)(14)'' and inserting ``(b)(15)''; and by striking 
``(b)(15)'' and inserting ``(b)(16)''.
    Section 2D1.14(a)(1) is amended by striking ``(b)(16)'' and 
inserting ``(b)(17)''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  3B1.4 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 2 by striking ``(b)(14)(B)'' and inserting 
``(b)(15)(B)''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  3C1.1 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 7 by striking ``(b)(14)(D)'' and inserting 
``(b)(15)(D)''.
    Reason for Amendment: This amendment provides increased punishment 
for certain defendants involved in marihuana cultivation operations on 
state or federal land or while trespassing on tribal or private land. 
The amendment adds a new specific offense characteristic at subsection 
(b)(14) of Sec.  2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, Importing, Exporting or 
Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent to Commit These 
Offenses); Attempt or Conspiracy). The new specific offense 
characteristic provides an increase of two levels if the defendant 
receives an adjustment under Sec.  3B1.1 (Aggravating Role) and the 
offense involved the cultivation of marihuana on state or federal land 
or while trespassing on tribal or private land.
    The amendment responds to concerns raised by federal and local 
elected officials, law enforcement groups, trade groups, environmental 
advocacy groups and others, especially in areas of the country where 
unlawful outdoor marihuana cultivation is occurring with increasing 
frequency. The concerns included the fact that such operations 
typically involve acts such as clearing existing vegetation, diverting 
natural water sources for irrigation, using potentially harmful 
chemicals, killing wild animals, and leaving trash and debris at the 
site. The concerns also included the risk to public safety of marihuana 
cultivation operations on federal or state land or while trespassing on 
tribal or private land. Additionally, when an operation is located on 
public land or on private land without the owner's permission, the 
operation deprives the public or the owner of lawful access to and use 
of the land.
    Accordingly, this amendment provides an increase of two levels when 
a marihuana cultivation operation is located on state or federal land 
or while trespassing on tribal or private land, but only applies to 
defendants who received an adjustment under Sec.  3B1.1 (Aggravating 
Role). These defendants are more culpable and have greater decision-
making authority in the operation. The amendment also adds commentary 
in Sec.  2D1.1 at Application Note 19 clarifying that, consistent with 
ordinary guideline operation, the new increase may be applied 
cumulatively with the existing enhancement at subsection (b)(13)(A) of 
Sec.  2D1.1, which applies if an offense involved certain conduct 
relating to hazardous or toxic substances or waste.
    5. Amendment: Section 2K2.1(c)(1) is amended by inserting after 
``firearm or ammunition'' both places it appears the following: ``cited 
in the offense of conviction''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2K2.1 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 14 by striking `` `In Connection With'.--'' and 
inserting ``Application of Subsections (b)(6)(B) and (c)(1).--'';
    in Note 14(A) by adding at the end the following: ``However, 
subsection (c)(1) contains the additional requirement that the firearm 
or ammunition be cited in the offense of conviction.'';
    in Note 14(B) by striking ``application of subsections (b)(6)(B) 
and (c)(1)'' and inserting ``application of subsections (b)(6)(B) and, 
if the firearm was cited in the offense of conviction, (c)(1)'';
    and by adding at the end of Note 14 the following:
    ``(E) Relationship Between the Instant Offense and the Other 
Offense.--In determining whether subsections (b)(6)(B) and (c)(1) 
apply, the court must consider the relationship between the instant 
offense and the other offense, consistent with relevant conduct 
principles. See Sec.  1B1.3(a)(1)-(4) and accompanying commentary.

[[Page 26007]]

    In determining whether subsection (c)(1) applies, the court must 
also consider whether the firearm used in the other offense was a 
firearm cited in the offense of conviction.
    For example:
    (i) Firearm Cited in the Offense of Conviction. Defendant A's 
offense of conviction is for unlawfully possessing a shotgun on October 
15. The court determines that, on the preceding February 10, Defendant 
A used the shotgun in connection with a robbery. Ordinarily, under 
these circumstances, subsection (b)(6)(B) applies, and the cross 
reference in subsection (c)(1) also applies if it results in a greater 
offense level.
    Ordinarily, the unlawful possession of the shotgun on February 10 
will be `part of the same course of conduct or common scheme or plan' 
as the unlawful possession of the same shotgun on October 15. See Sec.  
1B1.3(a)(2) and accompanying commentary (including, in particular, the 
factors discussed in Application Note 9 to Sec.  1B1.3). The use of the 
shotgun `in connection with' the robbery is relevant conduct because it 
is a factor specified in subsections (b)(6)(B) and (c)(1). See Sec.  
1B1.3(a)(4) (`any other information specified in the applicable 
guideline').
    (ii) Firearm Not Cited in the Offense of Conviction. Defendant B's 
offense of conviction is for unlawfully possessing a shotgun on October 
15. The court determines that, on the preceding February 10, Defendant 
B unlawfully possessed a handgun (not cited in the offense of 
conviction) and used the handgun in connection with a robbery.
    Subsection (b)(6)(B). In determining whether subsection (b)(6)(B) 
applies, the threshold question for the court is whether the two 
unlawful possession offenses (the shotgun on October 15 and the handgun 
on February 10) were `part of the same course of conduct or common 
scheme or plan'. See Sec.  1B1.3(a)(2) and accompanying commentary 
(including, in particular, the factors discussed in Application Note 9 
to Sec.  1B1.3).
    If they were, then the handgun possession offense is relevant 
conduct to the shotgun possession offense, and the use of the handgun 
`in connection with' the robbery is relevant conduct because it is a 
factor specified in subsection (b)(6)(B). See Sec.  1B1.3(a)(4) ('any 
other information specified in the applicable guideline'). Accordingly, 
subsection (b)(6)(B) applies.
    On the other hand, if the court determines that the two unlawful 
possession offenses were not `part of the same course of conduct or 
common scheme or plan,' then the handgun possession offense is not 
relevant conduct to the shotgun possession offense and subsection 
(b)(6)(B) does not apply.
    Subsection (c)(1). Under these circumstances, the cross reference 
in subsection (c)(1) does not apply, because the handgun was not cited 
in the offense of conviction.''.
    Reason for Amendment: This amendment addresses cases in which the 
defendant is convicted of a firearms offense (in particular, being a 
felon in possession of a firearm) and also possessed a firearm in 
connection with another offense, such as robbery or attempted murder.
    In such a case, the defendant is sentenced under the firearms 
guideline, Sec.  2K2.1 (Unlawful Receipt, Possession, or Transportation 
of Firearms or Ammunition; Prohibited Transactions Involving Firearms 
or Ammunition). If the defendant possessed any firearm in connection 
with another felony offense, subsection (b)(6)(B) provides a 4-level 
enhancement and a minimum offense level of 18. If the defendant 
possessed any firearm in connection with another offense, subsection 
(c)(1) provides a cross reference to the offense guideline applicable 
to the other offense, if it results in a higher offense level. (For 
example, if the defendant possessed any firearm in connection with a 
robbery, a cross reference to the robbery guideline may apply.)
    This amendment is a result of the Commission's review of the 
operation of subsections (b)(6)(B) and (c)(1). The review was prompted 
in part because circuits have been following a range of approaches in 
determining whether these provisions apply. Several circuits have taken 
the view that subsections (b)(6)(B) and (c)(1) apply only if the other 
offense is a ``groupable'' offense under Sec.  3D1.2(d). See, e.g., 
United States v. Horton, 693 F.3d 463, 478-79 (4th Cir. 2012) (felon in 
possession used a firearm in connection with a murder, but the cross 
reference does not apply because murder is not ``groupable''); United 
States v. Settle, 414 F.3d 629, 632-33 (6th Cir. 2005) (attempted 
murder); United States v. Jones, 313 F.3d 1019, 1023 n.3 (7th Cir. 
2002) (murder); United States v. Williams, 431 F.3d 767, 772-73 & n.9 
(11th Cir. 2005) (aggravated assault). But see United States v. Kulick, 
629 F.3d 165, 170 (3d Cir. 2010) (felon in possession used a firearm in 
connection with extortion; the cross reference may apply even though 
extortion is not ``groupable''); United States v. Gonzales, 996 F.2d 
88, 92 n.6 (5th Cir. 1993) (relevant conduct principles do not restrict 
the application of subsection (b)(6)(B)); United States v. Outley, 348 
F.3d 476 (5th Cir. 2003) (relevant conduct principles do not restrict 
the application of subsection (c)(1)).
    The amendment clarifies how relevant conduct principles operate in 
determining whether subsections (b)(6)(B) and (c)(1) apply. Subsections 
(b)(6)(B) and (c)(1) are not intended to apply only when the other 
felony offense is a ``groupable'' offense. Such an approach would 
result in unwarranted disparities, with defendants who possess a 
firearm in connection with a ``groupable'' offense (such as a drug 
offense) being subject to higher penalties than defendants who possess 
a firearm in connection with a ``non-groupable'' offense (such as 
murder or robbery). Instead, the central question for the court in 
these cases is whether the defendant's two firearms offenses--the 
firearms offense of conviction, and his unlawful possession of a 
firearm in connection with the other felony offense--were ``part of the 
same course of conduct or common scheme or plan''. See Sec.  
1B1.3(a)(2). The amendment adds examples to the commentary to clarify 
how relevant conduct principles are intended to operate in this 
context.
    The amendment also responds to concerns regarding the impact of 
subsection (c)(1), particularly in cases in which the defendant was 
convicted of unlawfully possessing a firearm on one occasion but was 
found to have possessed a different firearm on another occasion in 
connection with another, more serious, offense. Because unlawfully 
possessing a firearm is an offense based on a status (i.e., being a 
felon) that can continue for many years, the cross reference at 
subsection (c)(1) may, in effect, expose such a defendant to the 
highest offense level of any crime he may have committed at any time, 
regardless of its connection to the instant offense.
    While relevant conduct principles provide a limitation on the scope 
of subsection (c)(1) (and, as discussed above, this amendment clarifies 
how those principles operate in this context), the Commission 
determined that a further limitation on the scope of subsection (c)(1) 
is appropriate. Specifically, the instant offense and the other offense 
must be related to each other by, at a minimum, having an identifiable 
firearm in common. Accordingly, the amendment revises the cross 
reference so that it applies only to the particular firearm or firearms 
cited in the offense of conviction.
    6. Amendment: The Commentary to Sec.  2L1.1 captioned ``Application 
Notes'' is amended in Note 5 after ``vehicle'' by

[[Page 26008]]

striking the comma and inserting a semicolon; after ``vessel'' by 
striking ``, or'' and inserting a semicolon; and after ``inhumane 
condition'' by inserting the following: ``; or guiding persons through, 
or abandoning persons in, a dangerous or remote geographic area without 
adequate food, water, clothing, or protection from the elements''.
    Reason for Amendment: This amendment accounts for the risks of 
death, injury, starvation, dehydration, or exposure that aliens 
potentially face when transported through dangerous and remote 
geographical areas, e.g., along the southern border of the United 
States.
    Section 2L1.1 (Smuggling, Transporting, or Harboring an Unlawful 
Alien) currently has an enhancement at subsection (b)(6), which 
provides for a 2-level increase and a minimum offense level of 18, for 
intentionally or recklessly creating a substantial risk of death or 
serious bodily injury to another person. The Commentary for subsection 
(b)(6), Application Note 5, explains that Sec.  2L1.1(b)(6) may apply 
to a ``wide variety of conduct'' and provides as examples 
``transporting persons in the trunk or engine compartment of a motor 
vehicle, carrying substantially more passengers than the rated capacity 
of a motor vehicle or vessel, or harboring persons in a crowded, 
dangerous, or inhumane condition.''
    One case that illustrates the concerns addressed in this amendment 
is United States v. Mateo Garza, 541 F.3d 290 (5th Cir. 2008), in which 
the Fifth Circuit held that the reckless endangerment enhancement at 
Sec.  2L1.1(b)(6) does not per se apply to transporting aliens through 
the South Texas brush country, and must instead be applied based on the 
specific facts presented to the court. The Fifth Circuit emphasized 
that it is not enough to say, as the district court had, that 
traversing an entire geographical region is inherently dangerous, but 
that it must be dangerous on the facts presented to and used by the 
district court. The Fifth Circuit identified such pertinent facts from 
its prior case law as the length of the journey, the temperature, 
whether the aliens were provided food and water and allowed rest 
periods, and whether the aliens suffered injuries and death. See, e.g., 
United States v. Garcia-Guerrero, 313 F.3d 892 (5th Cir. 2002). 
Additional facts that have supported the enhancement include: whether 
the aliens were abandoned en route, the time of year during which the 
journey took place, the distance traveled, and whether the aliens were 
adequately clothed for the journey. See, e.g., United States v. Chapa, 
362 Fed. App'x 411 (5th Cir. 2010); United States v. De Jesus-Ojeda, 
515 F.3d 434 (5th Cir. 2008); United States v. Hernandez-Pena, 267 Fed. 
App'x 367 (5th Cir. 2008); United States v. Rodriguez-Cruz, 255 F.3d 
1054 (9th Cir. 2001).
    The amendment adds to Application Note 5 the following new example 
of the conduct to which Sec.  2L1.1(b)(6) could apply: ``or guiding 
persons through, or abandoning persons in, a dangerous or remote 
geographic area without adequate food, water, clothing, or protection 
from the elements.'' The Commission determined that this new example 
will clarify application of subsection (b)(6), highlight the potential 
risks in these types of cases, provide guidance for the courts to 
determine whether to apply the enhancement, and promote uniformity in 
sentencing by providing factors to consider when determining whether to 
apply Sec.  2L1.1(b)(6).
    7. Amendment: The Commentary to Sec.  5D1.2 captioned ``Application 
Notes'' is amended in Note 1, in the paragraph that begins ``'Sex 
offense' means'', in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(ii) chapter 109B 
of such title;'', and by redesignating clauses (iii) through (vi) as 
clauses (ii) through (v), respectively; in subparagraph (B) by striking 
``(vi)'' and inserting ``(v)''; and by adding at the end as the last 
sentence the following: ``Such term does not include an offense under 
18 U.S.C. Sec.  2250 (Failure to register).''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  5D1.2 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended by adding at the end the following new Note 6:
    ``6. Application of Subsection (c).--Subsection (c) specifies how a 
statutorily required minimum term of supervised release may affect the 
minimum term of supervised release provided by the guidelines.
    For example, if subsection (a) provides a range of two years to 
five years, but the relevant statute requires a minimum term of 
supervised release of three years and a maximum term of life, the term 
of supervised release provided by the guidelines is restricted by 
subsection (c) to three years to five years. Similarly, if subsection 
(a) provides a range of two years to five years, but the relevant 
statute requires a minimum term of supervised release of five years and 
a maximum term of life, the term of supervised release provided by the 
guidelines is five years.
    The following example illustrates the interaction of subsections 
(a) and (c) when subsection (b) is also involved. In this example, 
subsection (a) provides a range of two years to five years; the 
relevant statute requires a minimum term of supervised release of five 
years and a maximum term of life; and the offense is a sex offense 
under subsection (b). The effect of subsection (b) is to raise the 
maximum term of supervised release from five years (as provided by 
subsection (a)) to life, yielding a range of two years to life. The 
term of supervised release provided by the guidelines is then 
restricted by subsection (c) to five years to life. In this example, a 
term of supervised release of more than five years would be a guideline 
sentence. In addition, subsection (b) contains a policy statement 
recommending that the maximum--a life term of supervised release--be 
imposed.''.
    Reason for Amendment: This amendment resolves a circuit conflict 
and a related guideline application issue about the calculation of 
terms of supervised release. The circuit conflict involves defendants 
sentenced under statutes providing for mandatory minimum terms of 
supervised release, while the application issue relates specifically to 
defendants convicted of failure to register as a sex offender, in 
violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec.  2250.
    The guideline term of supervised release is determined by Sec.  
5D1.2 (Term of Supervised Release). Section 5D1.2(a) sets forth general 
rules for determining the guideline term of supervised release, based 
on the statutory classification of the offense. See Sec.  5D1.2(a)(1)-
(3); 18 U.S.C. Sec.  3559 (sentencing classification of offenses). For 
certain terrorism-related and sex offenses, Sec.  5D1.2(b) operates to 
replace the top end of the guideline term calculated under subsection 
(a) with a life term of supervised release. In the case of a ``sex 
offense,'' as defined by Application Note 1 to Sec.  5D1.2, a policy 
statement recommends that a life term of supervised release be imposed. 
See Sec.  5D1.2(b), p.s. Finally, Sec.  5D1.2(c) states that ``the term 
of supervised release imposed shall be not less than any statutorily 
required term of supervised release.''

When a Statutory Minimum Term of Supervised Release Applies

    First, there appear to be differences among the circuits in how to 
calculate the guideline term of supervised release when there is a 
statutory minimum term of supervised release. These cases involve the 
meaning of subsection (c) and its interaction with subsection (a).
    The Seventh Circuit has held that when there is a statutory minimum 
term of supervised release, the statutory minimum term becomes the 
bottom of the guideline range (replacing the bottom of the term 
provided by (a)) and, if the statutory minimum equals or

[[Page 26009]]

exceeds the top of the guideline term provided by subsection (a), the 
guideline ``range'' becomes a single point at the statutory minimum. 
United States v. Gibbs, 578 F.3d 694, 695 (7th Cir. 2009). Thus, if 
subsection (a) provides a range of three to five years, but the statute 
provides a range of five years to life, the ``range'' is precisely five 
years. Gibbs involved a drug offense for which 21 U.S.C. 841(b) 
required a supervised release term of five years to life. See also 
United States v. Goodwin, 717 F.3d 511, 519-20 (7th Cir. 2013) 
(applying Gibbs to a case involving a failure to register for which 18 
U.S.C. Sec.  3583(k) required a supervised release term of five years 
to life).
    These cases are in tension with the approach of the Eighth Circuit 
in United States v. Deans, 590 F.3d 907, 911 (8th Cir. 2010). In Deans, 
the range calculated under subsection (a) was two to three years of 
supervised release. However, the relevant statute, 21 U.S.C. 
841(b)(1)(C), provided a range of three years to life. Under the 
Seventh Circuit's approach in Gibbs, the guideline ``range'' would be 
precisely three years. Without reference to Gibbs, the Eighth Circuit 
in Deans indicated that the statutory requirement ``trumps'' subsection 
(a), and the guideline range becomes the statutory range--three years 
to life. 590 F.3d at 911. Thus, the district court's imposition of five 
years of supervised release ``was neither an upward departure nor 
procedural error.'' Id.
    The amendment adopts the approach of the Seventh Circuit in Gibbs 
and Goodwin. The amendment provides a new Application Note and examples 
explaining that, under subsection (c), a statutorily required minimum 
term of supervised release operates to restrict the low end of the 
guideline term of supervised release.
    The Commission determined that this resolution was most consistent 
with its statutory obligation to determine the ``appropriate length'' 
of supervised release terms, and with how a statutory minimum term of 
imprisonment operates to restrict the range of imprisonment provided by 
the guidelines. See 28 U.S.C. 994(a)(1)(c); USSG Sec.  5G1.1(a). This 
outcome is also consistent with the Commission's 2010 report on 
supervised release, which found that most supervised release violations 
occur in the first year after release from incarceration. See U.S. 
Sentencing Comm'n, Federal Offenders Sentenced to Supervised Release, 
at 63 & n. 265 (July 2010). If an offender shows non-compliance during 
the initial term of supervised release, the court may extend the term 
of supervision up to the statutory maximum, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 
3583(e)(2).

When the Defendant is Convicted of Failure to Register as a Sex 
Offender

    Second, there are differences among the circuits over how to 
calculate the guideline range of supervised release when a defendant is 
convicted, under 18 U.S.C. 2250, of failing to register as a sex 
offender. That offense carries a statutory minimum term of supervised 
release of at least five years, with a term up to life permitted. See 
18 U.S.C. 3583(k).
    There is an application issue about when, if at all, such an 
offense is a ``sex offense'' for purposes of subsection (b) of Sec.  
5D1.2. If a failure to register is a sex offense, then subsection (b) 
specifically provides for a term of supervised release of anywhere from 
the minimum provided by subsection (a) to the maximum provided by 
statute (i.e., life), and a policy statement contained within 
subsection (b) recommends that the maximum be imposed. See Sec.  
5D1.2(b), p.s. Another effect of the determination is that, if failure 
to register is a ``sex offense,'' the guidelines recommend that special 
conditions of supervised release also be imposed, such as participating 
in a sex offender monitoring program and submitting to warrantless 
searches. See Sec.  5D1.3(d)(7).
    Application Note 1 defines ``sex offense'' to mean, among other 
things, ``an offense, perpetrated against a minor, under'' chapter 109B 
of title 18 (the only section of which is Section 2250). Circuits have 
reached different conclusions about the effect of this definition.
    The Seventh Circuit has held that a failure to register can never 
be a ``sex offense'' within the meaning of Note 1. United States v. 
Goodwin, 717 F.3d 511, 518-20 (7th Cir. 2013); see also United States 
v. Segura, No. 12-11262, ----F.3d ----, 2014 WL 1282759, at *4 (5th 
Cir. Mar. 31, 2014) (agreeing with Goodwin). The court in Goodwin 
reasoned that there is no specific victim of a failure to register, and 
therefore a failure to register is never ``perpetrated against a 
minor'' and can never be a ``sex offense''--rendering the definition's 
inclusion of offenses under chapter 109B ``surplusage.'' 717 F.3d at 
518. In an unpublished opinion, the Second Circuit has determined that 
a failure to register was not a ``sex offense.'' See United States v. 
Herbert, 428 Fed. App'x 37 (2d Cir. 2011). In both cases, the 
government argued for these outcomes, confessing error below.
    There are unpublished decisions in other circuits that have reached 
different results, without discussion. In those cases, the defendant 
had a prior sex offense against a minor, and the circuit court 
determined that the failure to register was a ``sex offense.'' See 
United States v. Zeiders, 440 Fed. App'x 699, 701 (11th Cir. 2011); 
United States v. Nelson, 400 Fed. App'x 781 (4th Cir. 2010).
    The Commission agrees with the Seventh Circuit that failure to 
register is not an offense that is ``perpetrated against a minor.'' In 
addition, expert testimony and research reviewed by the Commission 
indicated that commission of a failure-to-register offense is not 
correlated with sex offense recidivism. The amendment resolves the 
application issue by amending the commentary to Sec.  5D1.2 to clarify 
that offenses under Section 2250 are not ``sex offenses.''
    8. Amendment: The Commentary to Sec.  2L1.2 captioned ``Application 
Notes'' is amended by redesignating Note 8 as Note 9 and by inserting 
after Note 7 the following new Note 8:
    ``8. Departure Based on Time Served in State Custody.--In a case in 
which the defendant is located by immigration authorities while the 
defendant is serving time in state custody, whether pre- or post-
conviction, for a state offense, the time served is not covered by an 
adjustment under Sec.  5G1.3(b) and, accordingly, is not covered by a 
departure under Sec.  5K2.23 (Discharged Terms of Imprisonment). See 
Sec.  5G1.3(a). In such a case, the court may consider whether a 
departure is appropriate to reflect all or part of the time served in 
state custody, from the time immigration authorities locate the 
defendant until the service of the federal sentence commences, that the 
court determines will not be credited to the federal sentence by the 
Bureau of Prisons. Any such departure should be fashioned to achieve a 
reasonable punishment for the instant offense.
    Such a departure should be considered only in cases where the 
departure is not likely to increase the risk to the public from further 
crimes of the defendant. In determining whether such a departure is 
appropriate, the court should consider, among other things, (A) whether 
the defendant engaged in additional criminal activity after illegally 
reentering the United States; (B) the seriousness of any such 
additional criminal activity, including (1) whether the defendant used 
violence or credible threats of violence or possessed a firearm or 
other dangerous weapon (or induced another person to do so) in 
connection with the criminal activity, (2) whether the criminal 
activity resulted in death or serious

[[Page 26010]]

bodily injury to any person, and (3) whether the defendant was an 
organizer, leader, manager, or supervisor of others in the criminal 
activity; and (C) the seriousness of the defendant's other criminal 
history.''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  2X5.1 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 1 by inserting after ``Sec.  5G1.3 (Imposition of a 
Sentence on a Defendant Subject to an Undischarged Term of 
Imprisonment'' the following: ``or Anticipated State Term of 
Imprisonment''.
    Section 5G1.3 is amended in the heading by inserting after 
``Imposition of a Sentence on a Defendant Subject to an Undischarged 
Term of Imprisonment'' the following: ``or Anticipated State Term of 
Imprisonment''.
    Section 5G1.3 is amended in subsection (b) by striking ``and that 
was the basis for an increase in the offense level for the instant 
offense under Chapter Two (Offense Conduct) or Chapter Three 
(Adjustments)''; by redesignating subsection (c) as (d); and by 
inserting after subsection (b) the following new subsection (c):
    ``(c) If subsection (a) does not apply, and a state term of 
imprisonment is anticipated to result from another offense that is 
relevant conduct to the instant offense of conviction under the 
provisions of subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of Sec.  1B1.3 
(Relevant Conduct), the sentence for the instant offense shall be 
imposed to run concurrently to the anticipated term of imprisonment.''.
    The Commentary to Sec.  5G1.3 captioned ``Application Notes'' is 
amended in Note 2(A) by striking ``(i)'' and by striking ``; and (ii) 
has resulted in an increase in the Chapter Two or Three offense level 
for the instant offense'';
    in Note 2(B) by striking ``increased the Chapter Two or Three 
offense level for the instant offense but'';
    by redesignating Notes 3 and 4 as Notes 4 and 5, respectively, and 
inserting after Note 2 the following new Note 3:
    ``3. Application of Subsection (c).--Subsection (c) applies to 
cases in which the federal court anticipates that, after the federal 
sentence is imposed, the defendant will be sentenced in state court and 
serve a state sentence before being transferred to federal custody for 
federal imprisonment. In such a case, where the other offense is 
relevant conduct to the instant offense of conviction under the 
provisions of subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of Sec.  1B1.3 
(Relevant Conduct), the sentence for the instant offense shall be 
imposed to run concurrently to the anticipated term of imprisonment.'';
    and in Note 4 (as so redesignated), in the heading, by striking 
``(c)'' and inserting ``(d)''; in each of subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), 
and (D) by striking ``(c)'' each place such term appears and inserting 
``(d)''; and in subparagraph (E) by striking ``subsection (c)'' both 
places such term appears and inserting ``subsection (d)'', and by 
striking ``Sec.  5G1.3 (c)'' and inserting ``Sec.  5G1.3(d)''.
    Section 5K2.23 is amended by inserting after ``Imposition of a 
Sentence on a Defendant Subject to Undischarged Term of Imprisonment'' 
the following: ``or Anticipated Term of Imprisonment''.
    Reason for Amendment: This multi-part amendment addresses certain 
cases in which the defendant is subject to another term of 
imprisonment, such as an undischarged term of imprisonment or an 
anticipated term of imprisonment. The guideline generally applicable to 
undischarged terms of imprisonment is Sec.  5G1.3 (Imposition of a 
Sentence on a Defendant Subject to an Undischarged Term of 
Imprisonment).
    Section 5G1.3 identifies three categories of cases in which a 
federal defendant is also subject to an undischarged term of 
imprisonment. First, there are cases in which the federal offense was 
committed while the defendant was serving the undischarged term of 
imprisonment (including work release, furlough, or escape status). In 
these cases, the federal sentence is to be imposed consecutively to the 
remainder of the undischarged term of imprisonment. See Sec.  5G1.3(a). 
Second, assuming subsection (a) does not apply, there are cases in 
which the conduct involved in the undischarged term of imprisonment is 
related to the conduct involved in the federal offense--specifically, 
the offense for which the defendant is serving an undischarged term of 
imprisonment is relevant conduct under subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), or 
(a)(3) of Sec.  1B1.3 (Relevant Conduct)--and was the basis for an 
increase in the offense level under Chapter Two or Chapter Three. In 
these cases, the court is directed to adjust the federal sentence to 
account for the time already served on the undischarged term of 
imprisonment (if the Bureau of Prisons will not itself provide credit 
for that time already served) and is further directed to run the 
federal sentence concurrently with the remainder of the sentence for 
the undischarged term of imprisonment. See Sec.  5G1.3(b). Finally, in 
all other cases involving an undischarged state term of imprisonment, 
the court may impose the federal sentence concurrently, partially 
concurrently, or consecutively, to achieve a reasonable punishment for 
the federal offense. See Sec.  5G1.3(c), p.s.
    Within the category of cases covered by subsection (b), where the 
conduct involved in the undischarged term of imprisonment is related to 
the federal offense conduct, the Commission considered whether the 
benefit of subsection (b) should continue to be limited to cases in 
which the offense conduct related to the undischarged term of 
imprisonment resulted in a Chapter Two or Three increase. The 
Commission determined that this limitation added complexity to the 
guidelines and may lead to unwarranted disparities. For example, a 
federal drug trafficking defendant who is serving an undischarged state 
term of imprisonment for a small amount of a controlled substance that 
is relevant conduct to the federal offense may not receive the benefit 
of subsection (b) because the amount of the controlled substance may 
not be sufficient to increase the offense level under Chapter Two. In 
contrast, a federal drug trafficking defendant who is serving an 
undischarged state term of imprisonment for a large amount of a 
controlled substance that is relevant conduct to the federal offense 
may be more likely to receive the benefit of subsection (b) because the 
amount of the controlled substance may be more likely to increase the 
offense level under Chapter Two. The amendment amends Sec.  5G1.3(b) to 
require a court to adjust the sentence and impose concurrent sentences 
in any case in which the prior offense is relevant conduct under the 
provisions of Sec.  1B1.3(a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3), regardless of 
whether the conduct from the prior offense formed the basis for a 
Chapter Two or Chapter Three increase. The Commission determined that 
this amendment will simplify the operation of Sec.  5G1.3(b) and will 
also address concerns that the requirement that the relevant conduct 
increase the offense level under Chapters Two or Three is somewhat 
arbitrary.
    Second, the amendment addresses cases in which there is an 
anticipated, but not yet imposed, state term of imprisonment that is 
relevant conduct to the instant offense of conviction under the 
provisions of subsections (a)(1), (a)(2), or (a)(3) of Sec.  1B1.3 
(Relevant Conduct). This amendment creates a new subsection (c) at 
Sec.  5G1.3 that directs the court to impose the sentence for the 
instant federal offense to run concurrently with the anticipated but 
not yet imposed period of imprisonment if Sec.  5G1.3(a) does not 
apply.
    This amendment is a further response to the Supreme Court's 
decision in

[[Page 26011]]

Setser v. United States, 132 S. Ct. 1463 (2012). Last year, the 
Commission amended the Background Commentary to Sec.  5G1.3 to provide 
heightened awareness of the court's authority under Setser. See USSG 
App. C, Amend. 776 (effective November 1, 2013). In Setser, the Supreme 
Court held that a federal sentencing court has the authority to order 
that a federal term of imprisonment run concurrent with, or consecutive 
to, an anticipated but not yet imposed state sentence. This amendment 
reflects the Commission's determination that the concurrent sentence 
benefits of subsection (b) of Sec.  5G1.3 should be available not only 
in cases in which the state sentence has already been imposed at the 
time of federal sentencing (as subsection (b) provides), but also in 
cases in which the state sentence is anticipated but has not yet been 
imposed, as long as the other criteria in subsection (b) are satisfied 
(i.e., the state offense is relevant conduct under subsections (a)(1), 
(a)(2), or (a)(3) of Sec.  1B1.3, and subsection (a) of Sec.  5G1.3 
does not apply). By requiring courts to impose a concurrent sentence in 
these cases, the amendment reduces disparities between defendants whose 
state sentences have already been imposed and those whose state 
sentences have not yet been imposed. The amendment also promotes 
certainty and consistency.
    Third, the amendment addresses certain cases in which the defendant 
is an alien and is subject to an undischarged term of imprisonment. The 
amendment provides a new departure provision in Sec.  2L1.2 (Unlawfully 
Entering or Remaining in the United States) for cases in which the 
defendant is located by immigration authorities while the defendant is 
in state custody, whether pre- or post- conviction, for a state offense 
unrelated to the federal illegal reentry offense. In such a case, the 
time served is not covered by an adjustment under Sec.  5G1.3(b) and, 
accordingly, is not covered by a departure under Sec.  5K2.23 
(Discharged Terms of Imprisonment). The new departure provision states 
that, in such a case, the court may consider whether a departure is 
appropriate to reflect all or part of the time served in state custody 
for the unrelated offense, from the time federal immigration 
authorities locate the defendant until the service of the federal 
sentence commences, that the court determines will not be credited to 
the federal sentence by the Bureau of Prisons. The new departure 
provision also sets forth factors for the court to consider in 
determining whether to provide such a departure, and states that a 
departure should be considered only if the departure will not increase 
the risk to the public from further crimes of the defendant.
    This amendment addresses concerns that the amount of time a 
defendant serves in state custody after being located by immigration 
authorities may be somewhat arbitrary. Several courts have recognized a 
downward departure to account for the delay between when the defendant 
is ``found'' by immigration authorities and when the defendant is 
brought into federal custody. See, e.g., United States v. Sanchez-
Rodriguez, 161 F.3d 556, 563-64 (9th Cir. 1998) (affirming downward 
departure on the basis that, because of the delay in proceeding with 
the illegal reentry case, the defendant lost the opportunity to serve a 
greater portion of his state sentence concurrently with his illegal 
reentry sentence); United States v. Barrera-Saucedo, 385 F.3d 533, 537 
(5th Cir. 2004) (holding that ``it is permissible for a sentencing 
court to grant a downward departure to an illegal alien for all or part 
of time served in state custody from the time immigration authorities 
locate the defendant until he is taken into federal custody''); see 
also United States v. Los Santos, 283 F.3d 422, 428-29 (2d Cir. 2002) 
(departure appropriate if the delay was either in bad faith or 
unreasonable). The amendment provides guidance to the courts in the 
determination of an appropriate sentence in such a case.
(2) Request for Comment on Amendment 3, Pertaining to Drug Offenses
    On April 30, 2014, the Commission submitted to the Congress 
amendments to the sentencing guidelines and official commentary, which 
become effective on November 1, 2014, unless Congress acts to the 
contrary. Such amendments and the reasons for amendment subsequently 
were published in the Federal Register.
    Amendment 3, pertaining to drug offenses, has the effect of 
lowering guideline ranges. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 994(u), ``[i]f the 
Commission reduces the term of imprisonment recommended in the 
guidelines applicable to a particular offense or category of offenses, 
it shall specify in what circumstances and by what amount the sentences 
of prisoners serving terms of imprisonment for the offense may be 
reduced.''
    The Commission intends to consider whether, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 
3582(c)(2) and 28 U.S.C. 994(u), this amendment, or any part thereof, 
should be included in subsection (c) of Sec.  1B1.10 (Reduction in Term 
of Imprisonment as a Result of Amended Guideline Range (Policy 
Statement)) as an amendment that may be applied retroactively to 
previously sentenced defendants. In considering whether to do so, the 
Commission will consider, among other things, a retroactivity impact 
analysis and public comment. Accordingly, the Commission seeks public 
comment on whether it should make this amendment available for 
retroactive application. To help inform public comment, the 
retroactivity impact analysis will be made available to the public as 
soon as practicable.
    Among the factors that have been considered in the past by the 
Commission in selecting the amendments included in subsection (c) of 
Sec.  1B1.10 were the purpose of the amendment, the magnitude of the 
change in the guideline range made by the amendment, and the difficulty 
of applying the amendment retroactively to determine an amended 
guideline range. See Sec.  1B1.10, comment. (backg'd.).

Part-by-Part Consideration of Amendment

    The Commission seeks comment on whether it should list the entire 
amendment, or one or more parts of the amendment, in subsection (c) of 
Sec.  1B1.10 as an amendment that may be applied retroactively to 
previously sentenced defendants. For example, one part of the amendment 
changes the Drug Quantity Table in Sec.  2D1.1 (Unlawful Manufacturing, 
Importing, Exporting, or Trafficking (Including Possession with Intent 
to Commit These Offenses); Attempt or Conspiracy) across drug types. 
This has the effect of lowering guideline ranges for certain defendants 
for offenses involving drugs. Another part of the amendment changes the 
quantity tables in Sec.  2D1.11 (Unlawfully Distributing, Importing, 
Exporting or Possessing a Listed Chemical; Attempt or Conspiracy) 
across chemical types. This has the effect of lowering guideline ranges 
for certain defendants for offenses involving chemical precursors. For 
each of these parts, the Commission requests comment on whether that 
part should be listed in subsection (c) of Sec.  1B1.10 as an amendment 
that may be applied retroactively.

Other Guidance or Limitations for the Amendment Pertaining to Drug 
Offenses

    If the Commission does list the entire amendment, or one part of 
the amendment, in subsection (c) of Sec.  1B1.10 as an amendment that 
may be applied retroactively to previously sentenced defendants, should 
the Commission provide further guidance or

[[Page 26012]]

limitations regarding the circumstances in which and the amount by 
which sentences may be reduced?
    For example, should the Commission limit retroactivity only to a 
particular category or categories of defendants, such as (A) defendants 
who received an adjustment under the guidelines' ``safety valve'' 
provision (currently Sec.  2D1.1(b)(16)), or (B) defendants sentenced 
before United States v. Booker, 543 U.S. 220 (2005)?

[FR Doc. 2014-10264 Filed 5-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 2210-40-P