S.B. No. 2997 amends the Health and Safety Code regarding the scheduling of controlled substances in response to actions by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The bill modifies Section 481.034 by updating Subsections (a), (b), and (g), and adding a new Subsection (g-1). Notably, it allows the commissioner to make alterations to controlled substance schedules based on federal actions without requiring a public hearing, specifically when a substance is approved by the FDA and subsequently deleted or rescheduled under federal law. The commissioner must act within 21 days of receiving notice of such changes.

The bill also clarifies that any changes made by the commissioner in response to federal actions must still align with existing laws and require the approval of the executive commissioner. The changes introduced by this Act will only apply to controlled substances that are deleted or rescheduled under federal law on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 481.034 (Health and Safety Code 481)