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

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Sec. 6. Sentencing Commission Changed · Sep 14

Where this section came from

  1. 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
  2. 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.
What changed in the text

Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, 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 (21 U.S.C. 841) or section 1010 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960) to provide appropriate penalties for offenses involving xylazine that are consistent with the amendments made by this title Act . In carrying out this section, the Commission should consider the common forms of xylazine as well as its use alongside other scheduled substances.

What is a markup?

A markup is a committee meeting where members go through a bill and vote on changes before sending it to the full chamber.

Pursuant to its authority under section 994(p) of title 28, United States Code, 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 (21 U.S.C. 841) or section 1010 of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960) to provide appropriate penalties for offenses involving xylazine that are consistent with the amendments made by this Act. In carrying out this section, the Commission should consider the common forms of xylazine as well as its use alongside other scheduled substances.