U.S. Congress legislation · 119th Congress
HB7970: STOP Nitazenes Act
Status: In committee, July 21, 2026
To amend the Controlled Substances Act to permanently schedule 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids (commonly referred to as nitazenes) as Schedule 1 controlled substances, and for other purposes.
What the bill says
To amend the Controlled Substances Act to permanently schedule 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids (commonly referred to as nitazenes) as Schedule 1 controlled substances, and for other purposes.
From the introduced text, March 18, 2026:
A BILL To amend the Controlled Substances Act to permanently schedule 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids (commonly referred to as nitazenes) as Schedule 1 controlled substances, and for other purposes. SECTION 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Tools to Outlaw Poisonous Nitazenes Act or the STOP Nitazenes Act . SECTION 2. Class I scheduling of nitazenes (a) In general Section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act ( 21 U.S.C. 812(c) ) is amended by adding at the end of Schedule I the following: (f) (1) Unless specifically exempted or unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that contains-- (A) any quantity of a 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioid; or (B) the salts, isomers, and salts of isomers of a 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioid. (2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term '2-benzylbenzimidazole opioid' includes the following: (A) A substance that is structurally related to 2-benzylbenzimidazole with the following modifications: (i) At the 1-position, substitution with an alkyl linker connected to a substituted amine group containing hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, or a heteroaryl group, such as a morphilino, pyrrolidino, or piperidinyl group, whether or not further substituted. (ii) At the 2-position-- (I) replacement of the alkyl portion of the benzyl group with a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, carbamates group, nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen atom; or (II) replacement of the phenyl …
Sponsors
- Robert Latta (R, HD-005) · primary sponsor
- Eugene Vindman (D, HD-007)
- Michael Baumgartner (R, HD-005)
- David Joyce (R, HD-OH-14)
- Tracey Mann (R, HD-001)
- August Pfluger (R, HD-011)
- James Baird (R, HD-004)
- Addison McDowell (R, HD-006)
- Craig Goldman (R, HD-TX-12)
- Tim Moore (R, HD-NC-14)
- Ken Calvert (R, HD-CA-41)
Latest actions
- : Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 21.
- : Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- : Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- : Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- : Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- : Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- : 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
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures, Department of Justice, Crime and Law Enforcement, Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Common questions
- What is HB7970?
- HB7970 is a bill in Congress (119th Congress): STOP Nitazenes Act.
- What does HB7970 do?
- In its own words: To amend the Controlled Substances Act to permanently schedule 2-benzylbenzimidazole opioids (commonly referred to as nitazenes) as Schedule 1 controlled substances, and for other purposes.
- What is the status of HB7970?
- In committee as of July 21, 2026. Latest action: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 21. (July 21, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB7970?
- Robert Latta (R, HD-005), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB7970?
- On the Congress website: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7970
Source: official Congress record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.