Congressional Legislation · bill 119hr2715 · built from our database

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Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act

H.R. 2715 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

H.R. 2715119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 04/08/2025REP. HIGGINSR-LA · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: no (Sponsor Ranking)Right: DW-NOMINATE +0.63 (Sponsor Ranking)RIGHT(SPONSOR RANKING)HEALTH

19 members · Left 3 · Center 1 · Right 15 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorRep. Higgins, Clay (R-LA) (Introduced 04/08/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordRight · DW-NOMINATE +0.63 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 19 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; House - Energy and Commerce Committee; House - Energy and Commerce Committee; House - Energy and Commerce Committee
Latest Action07/21/2026 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Roll Call VotesThere have been no roll call votes
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Reported to House (06/18/2026)

Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act

This bill expands the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) authority to require the destruction of certain items that are refused import into the United States and pose a risk to public health.

Under current law, imported food, drugs, medical devices, tobacco products, and cosmetics are subject to FDA review. If an imported item is deficient in a specified manner (e.g., counterfeit, misbranded, or manufactured under insanitary conditions), the item is generally refused admission to the United States. An item refused admission may generally be exported, except that the FDA may destroy a drug, medical device, or tobacco product that is valued under $2,500 without the opportunity for export.

Under the bill, the FDA may order the destruction, without the opportunity for export, of any food, drug, medical device, tobacco product, or cosmetic that is refused admission if the item presents a significant public health concern. If such an order is issued, the item’s owner or consignee must destroy it within 90 days at their own cost.

The bill also prohibits the unauthorized movement (e.g., export) of an item subject to a destruction order. A violator is subject to a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both.

The FDA must promulgate regulations to carry out these provisions. These regulations must provide for due process for the owner or consignee of an item subject to a destruction order, including notice and an opportunity to appear before the item is destroyed.

Text (4)

Engrossed in House (EH)

119 HR 2715 EH: Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS2d Session H. R. 2715

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the destruction authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to articles that present a significant public health concern, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act.

2.Destruction of certain refused articles (a)In generalSection 801 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381) is amended by adding at the end the following: (v)Destruction of refused articles presenting significant public health concerns (1)In generalIf the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that an article that has been refused admission under subsection (a) presents a significant public health concern, the Secretary may issue to the owner or consignee of the article an order to destroy the article, without the opportunity for export. (2)Deadline; costsNot later than 90 days after the issuance of an order under paragraph (1), the owner or consignee of the article shall destroy the article. The owner or consignee shall be responsible for the costs of such destruction. (3)Due processThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the owner or consignee of an article subject to an order under paragraph (1) appropriate due process prior to the destruction of the article. Such due process shall be specified in regulations and include notice and an opportunity to appear before the Secretary and introduce testimony on the destruction— (A)in combination with the notice and opportunity to appear and introduce testimony on the refusal of admission of the article under subsection (a); or (B)separately.. (b)Prohibited actsSection 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by adding at the end the following: (jjj)The unauthorized movement, or introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce, including export, of an article that is subject to an order for destruction under section 801(v).. (c)ApplicabilityThe amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to articles beginning on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, promulgates final regulations under subsection (d). (d)Regulations (1)ProposedNot later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall issue proposed regulations to implement the amendment made by subsection (a), allowing for notice and comment on such proposed regulations. (2)FinalNot later than 1 year after the issuance of the proposed regulations under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall promulgate final regulations to implement the amendment made by subsection (a). Passed the House of Representatives July 20, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Introduced in House (IH)

119 HR 2715 IH: Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-04-08 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2715IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 8, 2025Mr. Higgins of Louisiana (for himself and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceA BILLTo amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the destruction authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to articles that present a significant public health concern, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act.2.Destruction of certain refused articles(a)In generalSection 801(a) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381(a)) is amended—(1)in the seventh sentence, by striking as described under subsection (b). and inserting as described under subsection (b), or any article refused admission under this section, if the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that such article presents a significant public health concern.; and(2)in the eighth, ninth, and tenth sentences, by striking drug or device each place it appears and inserting drug, device, or other article.(b)Prohibited actsSection 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by adding at the end the following:(jjj)The unauthorized movement, or introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce, including export, of an article that the Secretary has decided to destroy under the seventh sentence of section 801(a)..(c)ApplicabilityThe amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to articles beginning on the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.(d)RegulationsThe Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall—(1)not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, finalize such revisions to regulations as may be necessary to implement the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b); and(2)ensure that such regulations are consistent with any applicable international agreements.

Referred in Senate (RFS)

119 HR 2715 : Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-07-21 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 2715IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJuly 21, 2026Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and PensionsAN ACTTo amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the destruction authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to articles that present a significant public health concern, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act.2.Destruction of certain refused articles(a)In generalSection 801 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381) is amended by adding at the end the following:(v)Destruction of refused articles presenting significant public health concerns(1)In generalIf the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that an article that has been refused admission under subsection (a) presents a significant public health concern, the Secretary may issue to the owner or consignee of the article an order to destroy the article, without the opportunity for export.(2)Deadline; costsNot later than 90 days after the issuance of an order under paragraph (1), the owner or consignee of the article shall destroy the article. The owner or consignee shall be responsible for the costs of such destruction.(3)Due processThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the owner or consignee of an article subject to an order under paragraph (1) appropriate due process prior to the destruction of the article. Such due process shall be specified in regulations and include notice and an opportunity to appear before the Secretary and introduce testimony on the destruction—(A)in combination with the notice and opportunity to appear and introduce testimony on the refusal of admission of the article under subsection (a); or(B)separately..(b)Prohibited actsSection 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by adding at the end the following:(jjj)The unauthorized movement, or introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce, including export, of an article that is subject to an order for destruction under section 801(v)..(c)ApplicabilityThe amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to articles beginning on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, promulgates final regulations under subsection (d).(d)Regulations(1)ProposedNot later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall issue proposed regulations to implement the amendment made by subsection (a), allowing for notice and comment on such proposed regulations.(2)FinalNot later than 1 year after the issuance of the proposed regulations under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall promulgate final regulations to implement the amendment made by subsection (a).Passed the House of Representatives July 20, 2026.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Reported in House (RH)

119 HR 2715 RH: Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act U.S. House of Representatives 2026-06-18 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 613119th CONGRESS2d SessionH. R. 2715[Report No. 119–705]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESApril 8, 2025Mr. Higgins of Louisiana (for himself and Mr. Carter of Louisiana) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceJune 18, 2026Additional sponsors: Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Nehls, Ms. Letlow, Mr. Murphy, Mr. Steube, Mr. Haridopolos, Mr. Ezell, Mr. Bilirakis, Mrs. Kiggans of Virginia, Mr. Davis of North Carolina, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Fields, Ms. Mace, Mrs. Cammack, Mr. Carter of Georgia, and Mr. Moore of AlabamaJune 18, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on April 8, 2025A BILLTo amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the destruction authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to articles that present a significant public health concern, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Destruction of Hazardous Imports Act.2.Destruction of certain refused articles(a)In generalSection 801 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 381) is amended by adding at the end the following:(v)Destruction of refused articles presenting significant public health concerns(1)In generalIf the Secretary of Health and Human Services finds that an article that has been refused admission under subsection (a) presents a significant public health concern, the Secretary may issue to the owner or consignee of the article an order to destroy the article, without the opportunity for export.(2)Deadline; costsNot later than 90 days after the issuance of an order under paragraph (1), the owner or consignee of the article shall destroy the article. The owner or consignee shall be responsible for the costs of such destruction.(3)Due processThe Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide to the owner or consignee of an article subject to an order under paragraph (1) appropriate due process prior to the destruction of the article. Such due process shall be specified in regulations and include notice and an opportunity to appear before the Secretary and introduce testimony on the destruction—(A)in combination with the notice and opportunity to appear and introduce testimony on the refusal of admission of the article under subsection (a); or(B)separately..(b)Prohibited actsSection 301 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 331) is amended by adding at the end the following:(jjj)The unauthorized movement, or introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce, including export, of an article that is subject to an order for destruction under section 801(v)..(c)ApplicabilityThe amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to articles beginning on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, promulgates final regulations under subsection (d).(d)Regulations(1)ProposedNot later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall issue proposed regulations to implement the amendment made by subsection (a), allowing for notice and comment on such proposed regulations.(2)FinalNot later than 1 year after the issuance of the proposed regulations under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall promulgate final regulations to implement the amendment made by subsection (a).June 18, 2026Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (18)

DateChamberAll Actions
04/08/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
04/08/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
04/08/2025House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
04/08/2026House committee actionsReferred to the Subcommittee on Health.
05/13/2026House committee actionsSubcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
05/13/2026House committee actionsForwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
05/21/2026House committee actionsCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
05/21/2026House committee actionsOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 43 - 0.
06/18/2026Library of CongressReported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-705.
06/18/2026House floor actionsReported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-705.
06/18/2026House floor actionsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 613.
07/20/2026House floor actionsMr. Guthrie moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
07/20/2026House floor actionsConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4637-4639)
07/20/2026House floor actionsDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2715.
07/20/2026Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4637-4638)
07/20/2026House floor actionsOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4637-4638)
07/20/2026House floor actionsMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
07/21/2026SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Titles (7)

Title TypeTitle
Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill textDestruction of Hazardous Imports Act
Short Title(s) as Passed HouseDestruction of Hazardous Imports Act
Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill textTo amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the destruction authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to articles that present a significant public health concern, and for other purposes.
Display TitleDestruction of Hazardous Imports Act
Short Title(s) as Reported to HouseDestruction of Hazardous Imports Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedDestruction of Hazardous Imports Act
Official Title as IntroducedTo amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to extend the destruction authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to articles that present a significant public health concern, and for other purposes.

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Cosponsors (18)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (4)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee07/21/2026 Referred To
House - Energy and Commerce Committee06/18/2026 Reported By
House - Energy and Commerce Committee05/21/2026 Markup By
House - Energy and Commerce Committee04/08/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (1)

Subjects (7)

Policy Area: Health

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