House Judiciary Committee adopts substitute for Xylazine bill, reports companion measures

The House Judiciary Committee on [date not specified] adopted an H‑1 substitute for House Bill 5834 and reported companion measures intended to tighten controls on the drug Xylazine, which presenters and the chair called unsafe for human use.

Chair Breen opened the discussion by describing Xylazine as a veterinary sedative with "no legitimate human use," saying dealers are cutting the drug into fentanyl and that it depresses the central nervous system and can contribute to fatal overdoses. "It is very prevalent now," the chair said, and called for measures that keep Xylazine available to veterinarians but out of illicit supply chains.

The committee considered an H‑1 substitute for HB 5834; Representative Carter moved to adopt the substitute and the clerk called the roll. The clerk announced the substitute was adopted (the clerk's tally was read as 12 yeas, 0 nays, 0 pass). Following that motion the committee reported HB 5834 as substitute H‑1 with recommendation. The committee also reported House Bill 5835 with recommendation. Those items will now move to the House floor for further action.

Support for the Xylazine measures was noted in written testimony referenced by the chair, including a letter from Susan Lenstra of the Junior League of Michigan. Committee discussion emphasized limiting access for trafficking into human markets while preserving legitimate veterinary use.

Next steps: The reported bills will be scheduled for House floor consideration per the House calendar. The committee did not adopt additional amendments during the session.