HR-1266 — Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

YourVoice.Now Summary

Criminal Justice & Due ProcessCorporate BenefitsTransparency & Accountability

Would make xylazine, the animal sedative known as "tranq," a controlled drug — pet owners and vets keep access.

Criminal Justice & Due Process

Federal drug charges for xylazine — any amount in a mix counts

Xylazine would join Schedule III, the federal list of controlled drugs. Making, selling, or handing it out beyond vet channels would bring federal drug charges. A first selling offense carries up to ten years in prison, with no minimum term.

Prison terms for xylazine crimes — sentencing panel must review guidelines

The United States Sentencing Commission would review what prison terms fit xylazine crimes, including trafficking and smuggling. It could then change the rules federal judges follow. It is told to weigh the common street forms of the drug and its use alongside other controlled drugs.

Reach of those charges for animal owners — vet-dispensed use exempt

You could still hold xylazine for your own animals, animals in your care, or an approved animal-control or wildlife program. It would have to be dispensed by a registered vet, or by a pharmacy filling a vet's order. Agencies, businesses where animals are kept, and their staff are covered too.

Corporate Benefits

Break for xylazine makers — no new spending on drug storage

Controlled drugs must be kept under strict lock-up rules. Firms already making xylazine when the law takes effect would not have to pay for those upgrades. Firms starting later would.

Grace period for xylazine makers — labeling rules wait a year

Controlled drugs carry special rules for labels, packing, and shipping. For xylazine those would wait one year. Vets and pharmacies get 60 days for sign-up and records, and may keep working while an application is pending.

Transparency & Accountability

Tracking of xylazine shipments — makers report each sale to DEA

Xylazine would be added to ARCOS, a federal system that tracks controlled-drug shipments. Makers and wholesalers would report each sale to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The change also reaches drugs approved for animals, not just people.

Reporting to Congress on street xylazine — due at 18 months

A report due in 18 months would cover how widespread illicit xylazine is, where it is being diverted, where it comes from, and whether look-alike versions pose a risk. A second report is due in four years.

More about this bill

Xylazine, an animal sedative sold on the street as "tranq," would become a controlled drug. It is often mixed into street fentanyl. Most households would see no change. People who keep pets, horses, or livestock could still get it for their animals. It would have to come from a vet, or a pharmacy filling a vet's order. Owners would not have to sign up with any federal agency. The same goes for animal control and wildlife work. Making or selling xylazine outside those channels would become a federal drug crime. Any amount mixed into another product would count. Xylazine would land on Schedule III, where a first selling offense carries up to ten years. No minimum term is set by law. A federal sentencing panel would study the prison terms judges use in these cases. It could then change them. Firms already making xylazine would skip the storage upgrades that controlled drugs normally need. New labeling and shipping rules would wait one year. Vets and pharmacies would get 60 days to register and start keeping records. Drug makers and wholesalers would report each xylazine shipment to the DEA. Two reports to Congress would track where street xylazine comes from. They are due in 18 months and four years.

Congressional Summary

Congress's official summary of this bill still describes an earlier version of the text, so we have left it out here. You can read it on Congress.gov.

Congress.gov →

Legislative Subjects

Congressional oversightConsumer affairsCriminal procedure and sentencingDrug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationDrug trafficking and controlled substancesLicensing and registrationsManufacturingU.S. Sentencing CommissionVeterinary medicine and animal diseases

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: House
Status: summarized
Action: Introduced in House
Action Date: 2025-02-12
Date Added: 2026-08-27
Source: Congress.gov →

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