HR 467 United States House · 118th Congress

HALT Fentanyl Act

The HALT Fentanyl Act expands the definition of fentanyl-related substances in the Controlled Substances Act to include many structurally similar compounds, making it easier to regulate new fentanyl analogs without individual listing. It defines these substances based on specific chemical modifications to fentanyl, with limited exceptions for substances already controlled or listed elsewhere. The bill also streamlines research procedures for schedule I substances by creating expedited registration processes and allowing multiple studies under one registration, while requiring the Attorney General to publish a list of substances meeting the new definition.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Sub-Topics: Drug Policy

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2023

Committee Review

May 2023

House Passage

May 2023

Senate Passage

President

Introduced Jan 24, 2023 Last action May 30, 2023

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What changed between versions

Introduced in House → Engrossed in House · 5 edits · May 25, 2023

MODERATE

The engrossed version of HR 467 makes several substantive changes from the introduced version: it adds the Department of Defense as an eligible entity for schedule I research, shortens the rulemaking deadline from 1 year to 6 months, adds a new penalties section that explicitly applies fentanyl-level criminal penalties to fentanyl-related substances, and adds an applicability section with a sense-of-Congress statement. These changes expand the bill's enforcement reach and accelerate its implementation.

ELIGIBILITY

The Department of Defense is added alongside HHS and VA as an entity that may conduct or fund research with schedule I controlled substances under the alternative registration process, and whose secretary may verify information submitted by applicants.

ENFORCEMENT

A new paragraph (7) requires the DOJ Inspector General to complete a study and submit a report on fentanyl research conducted under the new provisions within 1 year of enactment.

A new Section 5 adds 'or a fentanyl-related substance' to the penalty provisions of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)) and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960(b)), meaning distribution or import/export of fentanyl-related substances now carries the same criminal penalties as fentanyl itself.

TIMELINE

The deadline for the Attorney General to issue implementing rules was shortened from 1 year after enactment to 6 months after enactment.

SCOPE

A new Section 6 clarifies that all amendments apply from the date of enactment regardless of when implementing rules are finalized, includes a rule of construction preserving the ability to prosecute pre-enactment conduct under the existing analogue provision, and states a sense of Congress agreeing with the court's interpretation in United States v. McCray (2018).

Floor votes · House May 25, 2023

How they voted

289–133

Passed · 13 other

Total votes 435

May 25, 2023

D Democratic213

74 Yea 132 Nay 7

61% Nay

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican221

214 Yea 1 Nay 6

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 30, 2023

Committee

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

upper

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 289 - 133 (Roll no. 237).

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 289 - 133 (Roll no. 237).

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 467.

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 467 as unfinished business.

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

Mr. Bucshon moved that the committee rise.

lower

May 25, 2023

Introduced

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Pettersen amendment No. 3, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Pallone demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 429, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Pettersen amendment No. 3.

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 429, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Mills amendment No. 2.

lower

May 25, 2023

Lower · Passed

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 429, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Miller (OH) amendment No. 1.

lower

May 24, 2023

Lower · Passed

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 467 as unfinished business.

lower

May 24, 2023

Lower · Passed

On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

lower

May 24, 2023

Lower · Passed

Mr. Guthrie moved that the committee rise.

lower

May 24, 2023

Lower · Passed

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 467.

lower

May 24, 2023

Lower · Passed

The Speaker designated the Honorable Marjorie Taylor Greene to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.

lower

May 24, 2023

Lower · Passed

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 429 and Rule XVIII.

lower

May 22, 2023

Lower · Passed

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 429 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 467, S.J. Res. 11 and H.J. Res. 45. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 467 under a structured rule with one of hour of general debate. S.J. Res. 11 and H.J. Res. 45 are considered under closed rules with one hour of general debate. Motion to recommit provided on H.R. 467 and H.J. Res. 45, and one motion to commit on S.J. Res. 11.

lower

May 17, 2023

Lower · Passed

Committee on the Judiciary discharged.

lower

May 17, 2023

Lower · Passed

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 118-67, Part I.

lower

Mar 24, 2023

Introduced

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 19.

lower

Mar 24, 2023

Lower · Passed

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

lower

Mar 23, 2023

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

lower

Mar 8, 2023

Lower · Passed

Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 17 - 10 .

lower

Mar 8, 2023

Lower · Passed

Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

lower

Jan 24, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

lower

Jan 24, 2023

Committee

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

lower

Jan 24, 2023

Introduced

Introduced in House

lower

1 primary · 52 co-sponsors