H.R. 1266
Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
Sponsor: Jimmy Panetta · 114 cosponsors
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Official summary
Written by the Congressional Research Service.
Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
This bill regulates xylazine under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).
Xylazine, also known as tranq, is a nonopioid sedative and pain reliever that is approved for use in animals. Recently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported an increase in trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine.
This bill adds xylazine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers, to schedule III of the CSA. Schedule III controlled substances, including anabolic steroids, buprenorphine, and ketamine, have less potential for abuse than a schedule I or II substance, have a currently accepted medical use, and have low or moderate risk of dependence if abused.
Under the bill, manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing xylazine, or possessing with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense xylazine for illicit use is subject to criminal penalties under the CSA. The bill also requires xylazine transactions to be tracked in the drug reporting system maintained by the DEA.
The bill exempts from registration under the CSA persons and entities that possess xylazine (1) lawfully dispensed by a veterinarian or pharmacy and (2) for an animal or for use in certain animal-control or wildlife programs.
The bill also exempts xylazine manufacturers from the CSA's physical security requirements.
Finally, the bill requires the DEA, in coordination with the Food and Drug Administration, to report on (1) the prevalence and impact of illicit xylazine use in the United States, and (2) updated information on the prevalence and proliferation of xylazine trafficking and misuse in the United States.
Text of the bill
Where this section came from
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Feb 12, 2025 · Introduced in House Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary, Feb 12 Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Feb 12
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Sep 14, 2026 · Reported in House Marked up by House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Jul 20 Marked up by House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Jul 21 Reported by House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Sep 14 Committee members' individual votes aren't in our records.
… 22 unchanged passages …
(f) Clarification. Nothing in this
title
Act
, or the amendments made by this
title
Act
, 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 (21 U.S.C. 802(27)), as added by subsection (a) of this section.
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(a) Amendment. Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802) is amended by striking paragraph (27) and inserting the following:
(27)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term ultimate user means a person who has lawfully obtained, and who possesses, a controlled substance for the use by the person or for the use of a member of the household of the person or for an animal owned by the person or by a member of the household of the person.
(B)
(i) In the case of xylazine, other than for a drug product approved under subsection (b) or (j) of section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 355), the term ultimate user means a person—
(I) to whom xylazine was dispensed by—
(aa) a veterinarian registered under this Act; or
(bb) a pharmacy registered under this Act pursuant to a prescription of a veterinarian registered under this Act; and
(II) who possesses xylazine for—
(aa) an animal owned by the person or by a member of the household of the person;
(bb) an animal under the care of the person;
(cc) use in government animal-control programs authorized under applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local law; or
(dd) use in wildlife programs authorized under applicable Federal, State, Tribal, or local law.
(ii) In this subparagraph, the term person includes—
(I) a government agency or business where animals are located; and
(II) an employee or agent of an agency or business acting within the scope of their employment or agency.
(b) Facilities. An entity that manufactures xylazine, as of the date of enactment of this Act, shall not be required to make capital expenditures necessary to install the security standard required of schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) for the purposes of manufacturing xylazine.
(c) Labeling. The requirements related to labeling, packaging, and distribution logistics 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 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
(d) Practitioner registration. 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. A practitioner that has applied for registration during the 60-day period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act may continue their lawful activities until such application is approved or denied.
(e) Manufacturer transition. The Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration shall facilitate and expedite the relevant manufacturer submissions or applications required by the placement of xylazine on schedule III of section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)).
(f) Clarification. Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, 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 (21 U.S.C. 802(27)), as added by subsection (a) of this section.