S. 545: Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
Sponsor
Catherine Cortez Masto
Democrat · NV
Crack down on xylazine without cutting off vets
Why it matters
60 days after enactment, veterinarians and other practitioners would face new federal registration and recordkeeping rules for xylazine — but animal owners could still legally possess vet-dispensed xylazine for their animals. S. 545 tries to squeeze illicit supply while keeping veterinary care running.
S. 545 would make xylazine a Schedule III controlled substance nationwide, pulling even small quantities under federal drug rules.
That is the crackdown piece. Any material or mixture containing xylazine would generally be covered, and the drug would also be added to the federal tracking system used to monitor controlled substances as they move through the supply chain.
But the bill is also built around a practical problem: xylazine has legitimate animal uses. If you get non-FDA-approved xylazine from a registered veterinarian or a pharmacy with a veterinarian's prescription for an animal you own or care for, the bill says you could possess it without registering yourself.
The compliance schedule is staggered. Practitioner registration, inventory, and recordkeeping rules would begin 60 days after enactment, while packaging, labeling, and logistics requirements would wait 1 year. Practitioners who apply during that first 60-day window could keep operating until the government approves or denies the application.
Manufacturers already making xylazine would get one notable break: the bill says they would not have to make capital upgrades just to install Schedule III security standards. FDA and DEA would also be directed to speed up the paperwork caused by the new rules.
The bill also forces a quick public accounting, with one federal report due in 30 days, another in 18 months, and an update within 4 years. Those reports would cover how the new controls are working and what the government is seeing in illicit xylazine use and trafficking.
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Apr 15, 2026
Placed on Senate floor schedule under General Orders. Calendar No. 372.
S. 545 Bill Summary
What S. 545 actually does.
Xylazine becomes a federally controlled drug
S. 545 would place xylazine in Schedule III, and the control would generally apply to any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing any quantity of it.
Animal owners can still possess vet-dispensed xylazine
If non-FDA-approved xylazine is dispensed by a registered veterinarian or a pharmacy under a veterinarian's prescription, people could possess it for an animal they own, a household member's animal, or an animal under their care without having to register themselves.
Vets and practitioners get a 60-day compliance clock
Registration, inventory, and recordkeeping requirements would start 60 days after enactment. Practitioners who apply during that 60-day period could keep operating until their application is approved or denied.
Packaging and labeling changes wait 1 year
Manufacturers, distributors, veterinarians, and pharmacies would have a longer runway before packaging, labeling, and related logistics requirements take effect.
Federal tracking expands across the supply chain
Xylazine would be added to the federal controlled-substance tracking system, giving regulators more visibility into where it is manufactured, distributed, and ordered.
Congress gets rapid oversight reports
The bill requires one report within 30 days after enactment, a broader prevalence and impact report within 18 months, and another update within 4 years.
Who benefits from S. 545?
Veterinarians who use xylazine in animal care
They get a legal pathway to keep using and dispensing xylazine, plus a 60-day registration window and a full year before packaging and labeling changes hit.
Animal owners and caretakers
If you receive xylazine through a registered veterinarian or a pharmacy with a veterinarian's prescription, S. 545 says you could possess it for an animal you own or care for without having to register yourself.
Wildlife and animal-control programs
Government-authorized animal-control and wildlife programs are specifically included, so public agencies and their workers would have clearer rules for lawful possession and use.
Current xylazine manufacturers
Companies already making xylazine would avoid capital spending tied to installing Schedule III security standards, even as other controlled-substance requirements expand around them.
Who is affected by S. 545?
People trafficking illicit xylazine
They would face tighter federal control once xylazine is placed in Schedule III and tracked through the controlled-substance reporting system.
Practitioners handling xylazine
They would need to register, keep inventories, and maintain records within 60 days, unless they qualify to continue operating while an on-time application is pending.
Distributors, pharmacies, and supply-chain firms
They would have to adjust to controlled-substance handling rules, with packaging, labeling, and logistics changes taking effect after 1 year.
FDA, DEA, and other federal agencies
They would have to process applications faster, publish required reports, and implement new tracking and oversight work on a short timeline.
S545 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Apr 15, 2026
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Grassley with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Passed Committee
Mar 26, 2026
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Committee Action
Feb 12, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
About the Sponsor
Catherine Cortez Masto
Democrat, NV · 9 years in Congress
Committees: Indian Affairs, Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Energy and Natural Resources
View full profile →
Cosponsors (35)
This bill has 35 cosponsors: 15 Democrats, 19 Republicans, 1 Independent, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 26 states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, and 23 more.
Chuck Grassley
Republican · IA
Maggie Hassan
Democrat · NH
Kirsten Gillibrand
Democrat · NY
Cindy Hyde-Smith
Republican · MS
Maria Cantwell
Democrat · WA
Rick Scott
Republican · FL
Jeanne Shaheen
Democrat · NH
Amy Klobuchar
Democrat · MN
Katie Britt
Republican · AL
Shelley Capito
Republican · WV
Todd Young
Republican · IN
Mark Kelly
Democrat · AZ
Committee Sponsors
Judiciary Committee
10 of 21 committee members cosponsored
7 Democrats across this committee haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does S. 545 change?
6 changes
Sections Amended
Section 102 of Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)
adding at the end the following:</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(60) The term `xylazine' means the substance xylazine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible
Section 202(c) of Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812)
adding at the end the following:</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(f) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of xylazine
Section 102 of Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)
striking paragraph (27) and inserting the following:</DELETED> <DELETED> ``(27)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term `ultimate user' means a person who has lawfully obtained, and who possesses, a controlled substance for the use by the person or for the use of a member of the household of the person or for an animal owned by the person or by a member of the household of the person
Section 102 of Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)
adding at the end the following: ``(61) The term `xylazine' means the substance xylazine, including its salts, isomers, and salts of isomers whenever the existence of such salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible
Section 202(c) of Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812)
adding at the end the following: ``(f) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation which contains any quantity of xylazine
Section 102 of Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 802)
striking paragraph (27) and inserting the following: ``(27)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the term `ultimate user' means a person who has lawfully obtained, and who possesses, a controlled substance for the use by the person or for the use of a member of the household of the person or for an animal owned by the person or by a member of the household of the person
S. 545 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Judiciary
- Chamber
- Senate
- Policy
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Introduced
- Feb 12, 2025
Placed on Senate floor schedule under General Orders. Calendar No. 372.
Apr 15, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with text, actions, sponsors, and status for the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act.
FDA's animal and veterinary portal is relevant because the bill preserves lawful veterinary use and dispensing pathways for xylazine in animal care.
This U.S. Code page covers 21 U.S.C. 802, the definitions section amended by the bill to add xylazine.
This U.S. Code page covers 21 U.S.C. 812, the scheduling provision the bill would amend to place xylazine in Schedule III.
S. 545 Common Questions
Does S. 545 make xylazine a controlled substance?
Yes. S. 545 would place xylazine in Schedule III, meaning it would be treated as a federally controlled substance and tracked more closely through the supply chain.
Would small amounts of xylazine still count?
Yes. The bill says any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing any quantity of xylazine would generally be covered unless separately excepted.
Can animal owners still legally possess xylazine?
Yes, in limited cases. If it is dispensed by a registered veterinarian or a pharmacy under a veterinarian's prescription for an animal you own or care for, you could possess it without registering yourself.
How fast would vets have to comply?
Registration, inventory, and recordkeeping rules would start 60 days after enactment. If a practitioner applies during that 60-day window, they can keep operating until the application is approved or denied.
When do packaging and labeling rules change?
Those changes would take effect 1 year after enactment, giving manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and veterinarians more time to adjust.
Do existing xylazine manufacturers get any break?
Yes. S. 545 says manufacturers already producing xylazine on the enactment date would be exempt from capital spending needed to install Schedule III security standards.
Would xylazine be tracked like other controlled drugs?
Yes. The bill adds xylazine to the federal reporting system used to track controlled substances as they move through manufacturing and distribution.
What reports does S. 545 require?
It requires one report within 30 days after enactment, a prevalence and impact report within 18 months, and an update within 4 years, with the first report posted online by federal agencies.
Based on S. 545 bill text
S. 545 Bill Text
“To prohibit certain uses of xylazine, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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