HALT Fentanyl Act
This legislation permanently classifies all chemical copies of fentanyl as Schedule I illegal drugs, exposing unauthorized makers and traffickers to strict federal bans and mandatory minimum prison sentences. At the same time, it speeds up the approval process for scientists and universities to legally research these substances for medical and public health purposes. Under these rules, qualified researchers face shorter government wait times, reduced paperwork across local lab facilities, and fewer licensing hurdles when creating small test samples.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- scientific and medical researchersGain expedited DEA review timelines, single-registration coverage for multiple local sites, exemptions from repeated site inspections, and permission to synthesize or modify small quantities of substances for research without a separate manufacturer license (Sec. 3(a)–(f)).
- laboratory technicians and research staffCan handle and conduct research with controlled substances under a registered colleague's credential without applying or paying for their own separate federal registration (Sec. 3(b)(1)).
Who it burdens
- individuals convicted of illicitly manufacturing or trafficking fentanyl-related substancesFace permanent Schedule I controlled substance penalties and federal mandatory minimum prison sentences for trafficking, importing, or exporting fentanyl-related chemical analogues (Sec. 2, Sec. 6(a)–(b)).
- supervising registered researchersMust assume legal liability for any controlled substance violations committed by unregistered staff members working under their registration during DEA suspension or revocation proceedings (Sec. 3(b)(1)).
- Drug Enforcement AdministrationMust act on certain research registration notices within 30 to 45 days, publicly publish any unique evaluation criteria for specific substances, and promulgate implementing regulations within six months (Sec. 3(a), Sec. 3(g), Sec. 5).
- Department of Justice Office of the Inspector GeneralMust conduct a study and submit a report to Congress within one year examining federally conducted or funded research involving fentanyl (Sec. 3(a)(2)(n)(7)).
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 11 provisions
Permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances based on their chemical structure, placing them under the strictest federal drug regulations.
Establishes a faster approval process for scientists conducting federally approved or funded Schedule I drug research, allowing existing registrants to begin research 30 days after notice and requiring the DEA to act on new applications within 45 days.
Allows laboratory staff to handle controlled substances under a colleague's existing registration without getting their own separate registration, provided the registered researcher accepts legal responsibility.
Allows researchers to cover multiple research, storage, or administration locations in the same city or county under a single registration if the sites belong to the same institution.
Allows scientists to continue ongoing research without interruption when a substance they study is newly added to Schedule I, provided they submit an updated application within 90 days.
Allows registered researchers to manufacture or process small quantities of controlled substances strictly for their research without obtaining a separate manufacturer registration, excluding growing marijuana.
Applies federal mandatory minimum prison sentences for illegal drug trafficking, importation, and exportation to all fentanyl-related substances.
Directs the Department of Justice Inspector General to study and report within one year on federally conducted or funded research involving fentanyl.
Waives new physical DEA site inspections when a registered researcher applies to study an additional substance in the same or a less-restricted drug schedule.
Requires the DEA to publicly post on its website any special standards, criteria, or different review processes it applies to research applications for specific substances.
Directs the Attorney General to issue regulations implementing the Act within six months, allowing them to take effect immediately as interim rules before public hearings and comments conclude.
Permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I controlled substances based on their chemical structure, placing them under the strictest federal drug regulations.
Establishes a faster approval process for scientists conducting federally approved or funded Schedule I drug research, allowing existing registrants to begin research 30 days after notice and requiring the DEA to act on new applications within 45 days.
Allows laboratory staff to handle controlled substances under a colleague's existing registration without getting their own separate registration, provided the registered researcher accepts legal responsibility.
Allows researchers to cover multiple research, storage, or administration locations in the same city or county under a single registration if the sites belong to the same institution.
Allows scientists to continue ongoing research without interruption when a substance they study is newly added to Schedule I, provided they submit an updated application within 90 days.
Allows registered researchers to manufacture or process small quantities of controlled substances strictly for their research without obtaining a separate manufacturer registration, excluding growing marijuana.
Applies federal mandatory minimum prison sentences for illegal drug trafficking, importation, and exportation to all fentanyl-related substances.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on HALT Fentanyl Act.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 14 actions
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 312 - 108 (Roll no. 33). (text: CR H520-522)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 312 - 108 (Roll no. 33). (text: CR H520-522)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H533-535)
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Trahan amendment No. 2, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes prevailed. Mrs. Trahan demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceeding until a time to be announced.
- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 93, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Trahan amendment No. 2.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 27.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 27 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit allowed. The resolution makes in order only the further amendment printed in Part B of the Rules Committee report.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 93. (consideration: CR H520-533)
- Rule H. Res. 93 passed House.
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 93 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 27 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit allowed. The resolution makes in order only the further amendment printed in Part B of the Rules Committee report.
- 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.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 312 - 108 (Roll no. 33). (text: CR H520-522)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 312 - 108 (Roll no. 33). (text: CR H520-522)
- Rule H. Res. 93 passed House.
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 93 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 27 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit allowed. The resolution makes in order only the further amendment printed in Part B of the Rules Committee report.
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “HALT Fentanyl Act (H.R. 27, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-27. Congress.gov record as of Aug 10, 2026.