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CIVIC HERALD
S 331 · 119th Congress · SenateEnacted

HALT Fentanyl Act

Provisional: our plain-language summary, pending review.

In plain language: This bill permanently places the entire chemical family of fentanyl-related substances into Schedule I, the federal government's most restrictive drug category. People convicted of illegally making, selling, or importing these fentanyl variations face strict federal criminal penalties, including mandatory minimum prison sentences. The bill also eases registration and inspection rules for scientific researchers, allowing qualified medical and academic institutions to obtain, test, and manufacture small research amounts of Schedule I substances with less administrative delay.

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Provisionalunreviewed: impact, provisions, stakeholders, summary
People affected—not determinable from the text provided
Fiscal magnitude—CBO cost estimate published (S. 331, HALT Fentanyl Act, 2025-03-10); dollar figure pending review extraction — see receipt
Reach
provisional · pending review68rigor: heuristic llm
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Issues

What this bill touches.

Sentencing & corrections−50Drugs & enforcement−55

The sign shows the bill's direction on each issue (+ toward, − away); the number is its magnitude. Color never encodes good or bad, and never party.

Who it affects

Who it helps · who it burdens.

Provisional: our reading of who it affects, pending review.

Who it helps

  • Scientific and medical researchersGains access to an expedited 30- to 45-day registration process for federally funded or FDA-authorized research, single registrations covering multiple local sites, exemptions from new facility inspections, permission to manufacture small research quantities without a separate manufacturer license, and the ability to continue ongoing research when a substance is newly added to Schedule I (Sec. 3).provisional
  • Research institution employees and agentsAuthorized to handle and perform research on Schedule I substances under the supervision and registration of a qualified colleague at their institution without being required to obtain individual DEA registrations (Sec. 3(b)).provisional

Who it burdens

  • Illicit manufacturers, distributors, and traffickers of fentanyl-related substancesFaces permanent Schedule I classification, strict regulatory restrictions, and federal criminal penalties including mandatory minimum prison sentences for unauthorized manufacturing, distribution, importation, or exportation of fentanyl-related substances (Sec. 2, Sec. 6).provisional
  • Department of Justice and Drug Enforcement AdministrationRequired to establish electronic notification systems, process expedited research applications within 30 to 45 days, publish substance-specific evaluation criteria on the DEA website, and issue implementing regulations within six months (Sec. 3(a), Sec. 3(g), Sec. 5).provisional
  • Department of Justice Office of the Inspector GeneralRequired to conduct a study and submit a report to Congress within one year regarding fentanyl research conducted under the expedited procedures (Sec. 3(a)(2)(n)(7)).provisional
  • Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Defense, and Department of Veterans AffairsRequired upon request from the Attorney General to verify grant, contract, or investigational research details submitted by applicants seeking expedited Schedule I research registrations (Sec. 3(a)(2)(n)(3)(A)(ii)).provisional

Dollar-level funding (FEC sector totals) is coming in a later phase.

What it does

The provisions, in plain language.

Provisional: our reading of what the bill does, pending review.

Show all 12 provisions

  1. Permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances that meet specific chemical structural criteria as Schedule I controlled substances.

    Sec. 2provisional

  2. Establishes an expedited registration process allowing practitioners to conduct federally funded or FDA-authorized investigational research on Schedule I substances 30 days after submitting notice (or within 45 days if not already registered).

    Sec. 3(a)provisional

  3. Permits researchers actively studying a substance when it is newly added to Schedule I to continue their research while an updated registration application is pending.

    Sec. 3(e)provisional

  4. Subject illicit trafficking, manufacturing, and importation or exportation of fentanyl-related substances to federal criminal penalties and mandatory minimum prison sentences.

    Sec. 6provisional

  5. Authorizes the Attorney General to publish a non-exhaustive list in the Federal Register of chemical substances that meet the definition of a fentanyl-related substance.

    Sec. 2(e)(4)provisional

  6. Directs the Department of Justice Inspector General to complete a study and submit a report to Congress within one year regarding fentanyl research conducted under the expedited process.

    Sec. 3(a)(2)(n)(7)provisional

  7. Allows agents and employees of a research institution to handle Schedule I substances under the supervision and registration of a qualified colleague without obtaining an individual registration.

    Sec. 3(b)(1)provisional

  8. Allows researchers to cover multiple research, storage, and administration locations within the same city or county under a single registration.

    Sec. 3(c)provisional

  9. Exempts registered researchers from requiring a new facility inspection when applying to research additional controlled substances in the same or less restrictive schedule.

    Sec. 3(d)provisional

  10. Allows registered researchers to manufacture small quantities of a controlled substance for research purposes, such as preparing dosage forms or solutions (excluding growing marijuana), without obtaining a separate manufacturer registration.

    Sec. 3(f)provisional

  11. Requires the Attorney General to publish on the Drug Enforcement Administration website any special procedures or criteria used to evaluate research applications for specific substances.

    Sec. 3(g)provisional

  12. Directs the Attorney General to issue implementing regulations within six months of enactment, permitting them to take effect immediately as interim final rules.

    Sec. 5provisional

  1. Permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances that meet specific chemical structural criteria as Schedule I controlled substances.

    Sec. 2provisional

  2. Establishes an expedited registration process allowing practitioners to conduct federally funded or FDA-authorized investigational research on Schedule I substances 30 days after submitting notice (or within 45 days if not already registered).

    Sec. 3(a)provisional

  3. Permits researchers actively studying a substance when it is newly added to Schedule I to continue their research while an updated registration application is pending.

    Sec. 3(e)provisional

  4. Subject illicit trafficking, manufacturing, and importation or exportation of fentanyl-related substances to federal criminal penalties and mandatory minimum prison sentences.

    Sec. 6provisional

How your members of Congress line up

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The record

How members voted on HALT Fentanyl Act.

Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.

  • House · Jun 12, 2025 · YEA-AND-NAY

    On Passage · Passed

    Source →

  • Senate · Mar 14, 2025 · 1/2 required

    On Passage of the Bill S. 331 · Bill Passed

    Source →

  • Senate · Mar 13, 2025 · 3/5 required

    On the Cloture Motion S. 331 · Cloture Motion Agreed to

    Source →

  • Senate · Mar 6, 2025 · 3/5 required

    On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed S. 331 · Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Agreed to

    Source →

Timeline

How it moved.

Show all 38 actions
  1. Jul 16, 2025Became Public Law No: 119-26.
  2. Jul 16, 2025Signed by President.
  3. Jul 8, 2025Presented to President.
  4. Jun 12, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  5. Jun 12, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 321 - 104 (Roll no. 166). (text: 6/11/2025 CR H2625-2627)
  6. Jun 12, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 321 - 104 (Roll no. 166). (text: 6/11/2025 CR H2625-2627)
  7. Jun 12, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2806)
  8. Jun 11, 2025POSTPONED 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.
  9. Jun 11, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  10. Jun 11, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on S. 331.
  11. Jun 11, 2025Rule 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.
  12. Jun 11, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 489. (consideration: CR H2625-2633)
  13. Jun 10, 2025Rule H. Res. 489 passed House.
  14. Jun 9, 2025Rules 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.
  15. Mar 18, 2025Held at the desk.
  16. Mar 18, 2025Received in the House.
  17. Mar 14, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  18. Mar 14, 2025Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 16. Record Vote Number: 127.
  19. Mar 14, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 16. Record Vote Number: 127.
  20. Mar 14, 2025The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
  21. Mar 14, 2025Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1762-1765)
  22. Mar 13, 2025Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1735)
  23. Mar 13, 2025Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 15. Record Vote Number: 124. (CR S1735)
  24. Mar 11, 2025Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S1659)
  25. Mar 11, 2025Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S1659)
  26. Mar 10, 2025Measure laid before Senate by motion.
  27. Mar 10, 2025Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S1623)
  28. Mar 10, 2025Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S1623)
  29. Mar 6, 2025Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 12. Record Vote Number: 110. (CR S1596)
  30. Mar 6, 2025Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S1596)
  31. Mar 5, 2025Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (CR S1521)
  32. Mar 4, 2025Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S1488)
  33. Mar 4, 2025Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (CR S1488)
  34. Mar 3, 2025Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 18.
  35. Mar 3, 2025Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  36. Feb 27, 2025Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  37. Jan 30, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  38. Jan 30, 2025Introduced in Senate
  1. Jul 16, 2025Became Public Law No: 119-26.
  2. Jul 16, 2025Signed by President.
  3. Jul 8, 2025Presented to President.
  4. Jun 12, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  5. Jun 12, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 321 - 104 (Roll no. 166). (text: 6/11/2025 CR H2625-2627)
  6. Jun 12, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 321 - 104 (Roll no. 166). (text: 6/11/2025 CR H2625-2627)
  7. Jun 10, 2025Rule H. Res. 489 passed House.
  8. Jun 9, 2025Rules 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.
  9. Mar 14, 2025Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 16. Record Vote Number: 127.
  10. Mar 14, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 16. Record Vote Number: 127.
  11. Mar 14, 2025The committee substitute agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
  12. Mar 13, 2025Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 84 - 15. Record Vote Number: 124. (CR S1735)
  13. Mar 11, 2025Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S1659)
  14. Mar 10, 2025Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S1623)
  15. Mar 6, 2025Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 82 - 12. Record Vote Number: 110. (CR S1596)
  16. Mar 4, 2025Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S1488)
  17. Mar 3, 2025Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
  18. Feb 27, 2025Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  19. Jan 30, 2025Introduced in Senate

The original text

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Sources & provenance

Congress.govrefreshed 3 months ago

Cite this page

Civic Herald. “HALT Fentanyl Act (S. 331, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-s-331. Congress.gov record as of Aug 10, 2026.

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