Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
- Bill Number
- S. 545
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-15: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 372.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T20:34:50Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Combating Illicit Xylazine Act" (S. 545) aims to regulate xylazine—a veterinary sedative commonly misused in the illicit drug supply, often mixed with opioids—by classifying it as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This curbs non-medical human use while preserving legitimate veterinary and animal care applications.
Key Provisions
- Scheduling and Definitions:
- Adds xylazine (including salts, isomers) to the CSA's definitions (Section 102) and places it in Schedule III, making unauthorized manufacture, distribution, or possession illegal.
- Ultimate User Redefinition:
- Expands "ultimate user" for xylazine to include individuals or entities (e.g., animal owners, caretakers, government agencies, businesses) who receive it from registered veterinarians or pharmacies for animal use, wildlife programs, or animal control—no registration required for these users.
- Transition Rules (to ease implementation):
- Manufacturers exempt from immediate security upgrades (no capital costs).
- Labeling/packaging delays until 1 year post-enactment.
- Practitioner registration/inventory rules delayed 60 days; pending applicants can continue operations.
- FDA and DEA must expedite manufacturer applications.
- Tracking and Enforcement:
- Requires ARCOS tracking (Automated Reports and Consolidated Orders System) for xylazine distribution, similar to certain other drugs.
- Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to update guidelines for xylazine-related offenses under CSA Sections 401/1010, considering its forms and mixtures with other drugs.
- Congressional Reports:
- 30-day report: DEA/HHS assessment of xylazine's abuse potential, health risks, and scheduling recommendation (published online).
- 18-month report: On illicit use prevalence, diversion sources, origins, and analogue risks.
- 4-year report: Update on trafficking/misuse trends.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- New CSA Entry: First-time federal scheduling of xylazine as Schedule III (moderate abuse potential, accepted medical use).
- Tailored User Rules: Modifies general "ultimate user" definition specifically for xylazine, exempting veterinary end-users from registration (unlike standard Schedule III drugs).
- Tracking Expansion: Adds xylazine to ARCOS, enhancing federal monitoring of supply chains.
- Sentencing Updates: Prompts guideline amendments for consistency with new status.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increased DEA oversight/tracking; FDA/HHS workload for reports/expedited reviews; Sentencing Commission guideline revisions.
- Citizens and Businesses: Legitimate animal owners/vets face minimal disruption due to transitions; illicit users/traffickers risk federal penalties (fines, prison).
- Public Health: Better tracking may reduce overdose risks from xylazine-laced street drugs; no direct impact on international relations.
- Veterinary Sector: Continued access preserved, avoiding broad restrictions.
Main Stakeholders
- Veterinarians and Pharmacies: Must register (with grace period); handle inventory/recordkeeping.
- Animal Owners/Caretakers, Wildlife/Government Programs: Protected as "ultimate users" without registration.
- Manufacturers: Security/labeling relief; expedited processes.
- Law Enforcement/Regulators: DEA (tracking/enforcement), FDA/HHS (evaluations), DOJ (reports).
- Illicit Market Participants: Face new federal prohibitions/penalties.
- Public: Indirect benefits via reduced drug supply contamination.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal tools against diversion; Schedule III status allows prescriptions but mandates controls—balances regulation with veterinary needs.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority over interstate drugs; no apparent free speech/property challenges.
- Political: Bipartisan (45+ cosponsors); reported from Judiciary Committee with amendments for smoother transitions, signaling broad support for opioid crisis response.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Cosponsors (35)
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-15: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 372.
- 2026-04-15: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- 2026-03-26: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 2025-02-12: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-02-12: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Combating Illicit Xylazine Act — issued 2025-02-12 — PDF (7 pages)
- Combating Illicit Xylazine Act — issued 2026-04-15 — PDF (16 pages)