SIMSA Act of 2025 | ChamberLight

IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS

Senate BillS 3228Crime and Law Enforcement

SIMSA Act of 2025

INTRO NOV 20· LAST ACTION NOV 20

READING

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STEP 2 / 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it addresses a persistent challenge in drug enforcement: the rapid emergence of new synthetic drugs. Currently, when drug manufacturers slightly change the chemical structure of an illegal drug, the new variant might not be covered by existing laws, creating a legal loophole that allows dangerous substances to be imported and sold before they can be specifically banned. This bill aims to close that loophole by creating a faster, more flexible system to classify and control these 'analogue' substances.

If this bill becomes law, the government would have a quicker way to take action against new designer drugs coming into the country, potentially reducing their availability and impact on public health and safety. If it doesn't pass, the current process for scheduling new substances, which can be slower and more reactive, would remain in place, potentially allowing more dangerous drugs to enter communities before they are made illegal.

KEY PROVISIONS

5AI-extracted

PROVISION 01

Establishes a new Schedule A for controlled substances, creating a sixth category alongside the existing five schedules (I-V).

This provides a specific legal framework for regulating imported substances that mimic existing controlled drugs but are not yet classified.

PROVISION 02

Defines Schedule A substances as those imported into the U.S. with a chemical structure and central nervous system effects substantially similar to or greater than existing controlled substances.

This clarifies which types of new, drug-like chemicals fall under the expanded regulatory powers of the government.

PROVISION 03

Grants the Attorney General the authority to temporarily add substances to Schedule A for up to 5 years (with potential 180-day extension) to prevent abuse.

This enables a rapid response to emerging drug threats that might otherwise slip through current legal definitions.

PROVISION 04

Allows for permanent scheduling of Schedule A substances after a 3-year temporary period, with input from the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

This provides a mechanism for long-term control over these substances while allowing for scientific review.

PROVISION 05

Applies existing penalties under the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to violations involving Schedule A substances.

This ensures that illegal activities related to these new substances carry significant legal consequences, deterring their importation and distribution.

SPONSORSHIP

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COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 100%

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ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

NOV 20

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

NOV 20

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

INTROREFERRAL

BILL INFO

TypeSenate Bill

NumberS 3228

Congress119th

StatusIn Committee

IntroducedNov 20, 2025

Last actionNov 20, 2025

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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED NOV 20, 2025

Senate BillS 3228Crime and Law Enforcement

SIMSA Act of 2025

INTRODUCED NOV 20, 2025· LAST ACTION NOV 20, 2025

PASSAGE CHANCES

—%

READING

15 min

COSPONSORS

COMPLEXITY

Moderate

Call my reps Congress.gov

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed Senate

Passed House

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

KEY PROVISIONS

AI-extracted

high

Establishes a new Schedule A for controlled substances, creating a sixth category alongside the existing five schedules (I-V).

This provides a specific legal framework for regulating imported substances that mimic existing controlled drugs but are not yet classified.

high

Defines Schedule A substances as those imported into the U.S. with a chemical structure and central nervous system effects substantially similar to or greater than existing controlled substances.

This clarifies which types of new, drug-like chemicals fall under the expanded regulatory powers of the government.

high

Grants the Attorney General the authority to temporarily add substances to Schedule A for up to 5 years (with potential 180-day extension) to prevent abuse.

This enables a rapid response to emerging drug threats that might otherwise slip through current legal definitions.

med

Allows for permanent scheduling of Schedule A substances after a 3-year temporary period, with input from the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

This provides a mechanism for long-term control over these substances while allowing for scientific review.

high

Applies existing penalties under the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to violations involving Schedule A substances.

This ensures that illegal activities related to these new substances carry significant legal consequences, deterring their importation and distribution.

DEADLINES & DATES

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

30 days after the date of publication by the Attorney General of a notice in the Federal Register

Temporary scheduling order takes effect

Not later than 5 years after the date on which the order becomes effective

Temporary scheduling order expires

Up to 180 days

Extension of temporary scheduling order during pendency of proceedings

Not earlier than 3 years after the date on which the Attorney General issues a temporary order

Permanent scheduling order can be issued

30-day written notice

HHS provides notice to Attorney General if substance does not warrant control

Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Attorney General receives such notice

Attorney General terminates temporary order after receiving HHS notice

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

AI-extracted

An AI model extracted this from the bill’s official record and can make mistakes. Check the official text ↗ (opens in new tab)

TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
criminal	Not more than 20 years imprisonment	Person committing a violation under subsection (a) of 21 U.S.C. 960 involving a controlled substance in schedule A
criminal	Any term of years or for life imprisonment, and a fine	Person committing a violation under subsection (a) of 21 U.S.C. 960 involving a controlled substance in schedule A if death or serious bodily injury results from the use of such substance

GLOSSARY

AI-written

Controlled Substances Act (CSA): The main federal law that regulates the manufacture, importation, possession, use, and distribution of certain drugs and chemicals in the United States.
Controlled Substance Analogue: A substance that has a chemical structure very similar to an existing controlled substance and produces a similar or stronger effect on the body, but is not specifically listed as a controlled substance itself.
Scheduling (of substances): The process by which the federal government classifies drugs and chemicals into different categories (schedules I-V, and now A) based on their potential for abuse, accepted medical use, and safety.
Attorney General: The head of the U.S. Department of Justice, who is responsible for enforcing federal laws and has the authority to classify controlled substances.
Federal Register: The official daily publication of the U.S. government for rules, proposed rules, and notices of federal agencies and organizations.
Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS): The head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, responsible for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

NOV 20, 25

Introduced in Senate

INTROREFERRAL

NOV 20, 25

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

INTROREFERRAL

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SIMSA Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

SIMSA Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

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