Ask AI
Public Law119th CongressCrime and Law Enforcement
S. 331Became Law

HALT Fentanyl Act

This bill became law

Filed
Comm.
Floor
Both
Law

What it doesSummary public law (Jul 17, 2025)

Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act

This act permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.

Under the act, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term).

Additionally, the act establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research.

The act also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including

  • permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances,
  • waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and
  • allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration.

Finally, the act expresses the sense that Congress agrees with the interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act in United States v. McCray, a 2018 case decided by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In that case, the court held that butyryl fentanyl, a controlled substance, can be considered an analogue of fentanyl even though, under the Controlled Substances Act, the term controlled substance analogue specifically excludes a controlled substance.

What just happenedJul 16, 2025

Became Public Law No: 119-26.

Who’s behind it

Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA](R-LA)Sponsor
31 cosponsors6 D24 R1 I
Read on Congress.gov
31cosponsors1committees42actions35amendments2related bills5subjects
  1. Jul 16, 2025PresidentE40000

    Became Public Law No: 119-26.

  2. Jul 16, 2025BecameLaw36000

    Became Public Law No: 119-26.

  3. Jul 16, 2025PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. Jul 16, 2025BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. Jul 8, 2025FloorE20000

    Presented to President.

  6. Jul 8, 2025President28000

    Presented to President.

  7. Jun 12, 2025FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. Jun 12, 2025FloorH37100

    On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 321 - 104 (Roll no. 166). (text: 6/11/2025 CR H2625-2627)

  9. Jun 12, 2025Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 321 - 104 (Roll no. 166). (text: 6/11/2025 CR H2625-2627)

  10. Jun 12, 2025FloorH30000

    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2806)

  11. Jun 11, 2025FloorH8D000

    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on S. 331, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

  12. Jun 11, 2025FloorH35000

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

  13. Jun 11, 2025FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 331.

  14. Jun 11, 2025FloorH8D000

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 884, H.R. 2056, H.R. 2096 and S. 331. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 884, H.R. 2056, H.R. 2096, and S. 331 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate for each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 884, H.R. 2056, and H.R. 2096, and one motion to commit on S. 331.

  15. Jun 11, 2025FloorH30000

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 489. (consideration: CR H2625-2633)

  16. Jun 10, 2025FloorH1L220

    Rule H. Res. 489 passed House.

  17. Jun 9, 2025FloorH1L210

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 489 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 884, H.R. 2056, H.R. 2096 and S. 331. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 884, H.R. 2056, H.R. 2096, and S. 331 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate for each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on H.R. 884, H.R. 2056, and H.R. 2096, and one motion to commit on S. 331.

  18. Mar 18, 2025FloorH15000

    Held at the desk.

  19. Mar 18, 2025FloorH14000

    Received in the House.

  20. Mar 14, 2025Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  21. Mar 14, 2025Floor

    Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 16. Record Vote Number: 127.

  22. Mar 14, 2025Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 16. Record Vote Number: 127.

  23. Mar 14, 2025Floor

    The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

  24. Mar 14, 2025Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1762-1765)

  25. Mar 13, 2025Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1735)

  26. Mar 13, 2025Floor

    Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 15. Record Vote Number: 124. (CR S1735)

  27. Mar 11, 2025Floor

    Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S1659)

  28. Mar 11, 2025Floor

    Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1659)

  29. Mar 10, 2025Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by motion.

  30. Mar 10, 2025Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S1623)

  31. Mar 10, 2025Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S1623)

  32. Mar 6, 2025Floor

    Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 12. Record Vote Number: 110. (CR S1596)

  33. Mar 6, 2025Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S1596)

  34. Mar 5, 2025Floor

    Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S1521)

  35. Mar 4, 2025Floor

    Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S1488)

  36. Mar 4, 2025Floor

    Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S1488)

  37. Mar 3, 2025Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 18.

  38. Mar 3, 2025Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  39. Mar 3, 2025Committee14000

    Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Judiciary Committee
  40. Feb 27, 2025Committee

    Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Judiciary Committee
  41. Jan 30, 2025IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  42. Jan 30, 2025IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Public LawJul 17, 202549

Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act

This act permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.

Under the act, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term).

Additionally, the act establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research.

The act also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including

  • permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances,
  • waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and
  • allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration.

Finally, the act expresses the sense that Congress agrees with the interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act in United States v. McCray, a 2018 case decided by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In that case, the court held that butyryl fentanyl, a controlled substance, can be considered an analogue of fentanyl even though, under the Controlled Substances Act, the term controlled substance analogue specifically excludes a controlled substance.

Introduced in SenateJan 30, 2025

Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act or the HALT Fentanyl Act

This bill permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act.

Under the bill, offenses involving fentanyl-related substances are triggered by the same quantity thresholds and subject to the same penalties as offenses involving fentanyl analogues (e.g., offenses involving 100 grams or more trigger a 10-year mandatory minimum prison term).

Additionally, the bill establishes a new, alternative registration process for certain schedule I research.

The bill also makes several other changes to registration requirements for conducting research with controlled substances, including

  • permitting a single registration for related research sites in certain circumstances,
  • waiving the requirement for a new inspection in certain situations, and
  • allowing a registered researcher to perform certain manufacturing activities with small quantities of a substance without obtaining a manufacturing registration.

Finally, the bill expresses the sense that Congress agrees with the interpretation of the Controlled Substances Act in United States v. McCray, a 2018 case decided by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York. In that case, the court held that butyryl fentanyl, a controlled substance, can be considered an analogue of fentanyl even though, under the Controlled Substances Act, the term controlled substance analogue specifically excludes a controlled substance.

HALT Fentanyl Act — Informed