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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 1266

Rep. Panetta Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Classify Xylazine as a Schedule III Controlled Substance

Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

about 1 year ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill would classify xylazine as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, giving the government new tools to regulate and track it. This means tougher penalties for people who manufacture, distribute, or possess the drug illegally.
  • Veterinarians, farmers, pet owners, and wildlife program workers can still legally use xylazine for animals. The bill carefully carves out protections so that people who use the drug for legitimate animal care don't face new legal hurdles or registration requirements.

    From policy text

    “Nothing in this title, or the amendments made by this title, shall be construed to require the registration of an ultimate user of xylazine under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) in order to possess xylazine in accordance with subparagraph (B) of section 102(27) of that Act”
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  • Drug manufacturers and veterinary practitioners get transition time to comply. Manufacturers won't need expensive new security upgrades, labeling rules kick in after one year, and practitioners have 60 days to register and set up recordkeeping.

    From policy text

    “The requirements related to practitioner registration, inventory, and recordkeeping of a controlled substance in schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)) shall not take effect for xylazine until the date that is 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.”
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  • The government will use the ARCOS tracking system to follow xylazine from factory to clinic, helping identify where the drug is being stolen or diverted to the illegal market.
  • The U.S. Sentencing Commission is directed to review and potentially create new sentencing guidelines for xylazine-related crimes, taking into account how xylazine is commonly mixed with other drugs like fentanyl.

    From policy text

    “the United States Sentencing Commission shall review and, if appropriate, amend its sentencing guidelines, policy statements, and official commentary applicable to persons convicted of an offense under section 401 of the Controlled Substances Act”
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  • The DEA must report to Congress within 18 months on where illicit xylazine is coming from and whether dangerous new analogues exist, with a follow-up report due in 4 years.

    From policy text

    “Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Attorney General, acting through the Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration and in coordination with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall submit to Congress a report on the prevalence of illicit use of xylazine in the United States”
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HealthcareCriminal JusticeAgriculture

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 12, 2025House

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Feb 12, 2025

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

60 days after enactment

Veterinarians and pharmacies must register with the DEA to handle xylazine

Within 60 days of the law taking effect, vets and pharmacies that dispense xylazine must be registered and keeping records. Those who apply during this window can keep working while their application is processed.

1 year after enactment

New labeling and packaging rules take effect for xylazine

Manufacturers must have Schedule III-compliant labels and packaging on all xylazine products one year after the law is enacted. This affects how the drug is shipped, stored, and sold.

18 months after enactment

DEA reports to Congress on illicit xylazine origins and risks

Congress will get its first comprehensive look at where illicit xylazine is coming from, how it's being diverted, and whether dangerous new variants exist. This could lead to further policy action.

Related Bills

1 bill
S. 545Identical bill

Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

Feb 12 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

Bill NumberHR 1266
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(100)
D: 44R: 56

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.