39–006 

113TH CONGRESS REPT. 113–457 " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session Part 1 

VETERINARY MEDICINE MOBILITY ACT OF 2014 

MAY 20, 2014.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. UPTON, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H.R. 1528] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred 

the bill (H.R. 1528) to amend the Controlled Substances Act to 

allow a veterinarian to transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice outside of the 

registered location, having considered the same, report favorably 

thereon with an amendment and recommend that the bill as 

amended do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

Purpose and Summary ............................................................................................ 2 

Background and Need for Legislation .................................................................... 2 

Hearings ................................................................................................................... 2 

Committee Consideration ........................................................................................ 2 

Committee Votes ...................................................................................................... 2 

Committee Oversight Findings ............................................................................... 3 

Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives .................................... 3 

New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures ............. 3 

Earmark, Limited Tax Benefits, and Limited Tariff Benefits ............................. 3 

Committee Cost Estimate ....................................................................................... 3 

Congressional Budget Office Estimate ................................................................... 3 

Federal Mandates Statement ................................................................................. 4 

Duplication of Federal Programs ............................................................................ 4 

Disclosure of Directed Rule Makings ..................................................................... 4 

Advisory Committee Statement .............................................................................. 4 

Applicability to Legislative Branch ........................................................................ 4 

Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation ...................................................... 5 

Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported ..................................... 5 

Exchange of Letters with Additional Committees of Referral ............................. 6 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REPORTS-HSE
2 

The amendment is as follows: 

Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the following: 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014’’. 

SEC. 2. TRANSPORT AND DISPENSING OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES IN THE USUAL COURSE 

OF VETERINARY PRACTICE. 

Section 302(e) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 822(e)) is amended— 

(1) by striking ‘‘(e)’’ and inserting ‘‘(e)(1)’’; and 

(2) by adding at the end the following: 

‘‘(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a registrant who is a veterinarian shall not 

be required to have a separate registration in order to transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course of veterinary practice at a site other than the 

registrant’s registered principal place of business or professional practice, so long as 

the site of transporting and dispensing is located in a State where the veterinarian 

is licensed to practice veterinary medicine and is not a principal place of business 

or professional practice.’’. 

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

The bill would amend the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to 

clarify that, in States where a veterinarian who has registered with 

the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is licensed to practice, 

the veterinarian may transport and dispense controlled substances 

at a site other than the principal place of business or professional 

practice, in the regular course of veterinary practice, without having to obtain separate registrations for each activity. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) interpretation of 

the Controlled Substances Act and subsequent Federal regulations 

have raised questions about whether it is legal for registrants to 

transport and distribute controlled substances for use outside of 

their registered location. 

Mobility is essential for veterinary practice. Not being able to 

transport and dispense controlled substances would be particularly 

problematic for rural food animal veterinarians, some of whom do 

not have offices for seeing animals and some of whose clients cannot transport their animals to clinics or animal hospitals. 

HEARINGS

The Committee on Energy and Commerce has not held hearings 

on the legislation. 

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On February 27, 2014, the Subcommittee on Health met in open 

markup session and approved H.R. 1528, Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014 for full Committee consideration, as amended, by 

a voice vote. On April 3, 2014, the Energy and Commerce Committee met in open markup session and approved H.R. 1528, as 

amended, by unanimous consent. 

COMMITTEE VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes on the motion 

to report legislation and amendments thereto. There were no 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REPORTS-HSE
3 

record votes taken in connection with ordering H.R. 1528 reported. 

A motion by Mr. Upton to order H.R. 1528 reported to the House, 

without amendment, was agreed to by unanimous consent. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the Committee has not held oversight or legislative hearings on this legislation. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The objective of this legislation is to allow veterinarians to dispense controlled substances in the field when treating animals 

away from their registered place of business. 

NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX

EXPENDITURES

In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R. 1528 

would result in no new or increased budget authority, entitlement 

authority, or tax expenditures or revenues. 

EARMARK, LIMITED TAX BENEFITS, AND LIMITED TARIFF BENEFITS

In compliance with clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the 

Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that 

H.R. 1528 contains no earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited 

tariff benefits. 

COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared by 

the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 

402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate provided by 

the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974: 

U.S. CONGRESS, 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, 

Washington, DC, April 18, 2014. 

Hon. FRED UPTON, Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce, 

House of Representatives, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1528, the Veterinary 

Medicine Mobility Act of 2014. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Mark Grabowicz. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF. 

Enclosure. 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REPORTS-HSE
4 

H.R. 1528—Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014 

Current law requires persons who distribute controlled substances to register with the Department of Justice; a separate registration is required for each principal place of business or professional practice. H.R. 1528 would clarify that veterinarians are not 

required to have separate registrations to dispense controlled substances outside of their principal place of business—when treating 

animals on a farm, for example—if the use of these substances is 

required in the usual course of veterinary practice in a state where 

the veterinarian is licensed to practice. 

CBO expects that implementing H.R. 1528 would not change the 

number of registrations by veterinarians or significantly affect 

spending by the Department of Justice. Enacting the bill would not 

affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. 

H.R. 1528 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would 

impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Mark Grabowicz. The 

estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 

pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 

DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

No provision of H.R. 1528 establishes or reauthorizes a program 

of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was included in any report from the 

Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 

21 of Public Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DISCLOSURE OF DIRECTED RULE MAKINGS

The Committee estimates that enacting H.R. 1528 directs to be 

completed zero rule makings within the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 551. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this legislation. 

APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act. 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REPORTS-HSE
5 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1: Short title 

Section 1 provides the short title of ‘‘Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2014.’’ 

Section 2: Transport and dispensing of controlled substances in the 

usual course of veterinary practice 

This provision allows veterinarians to transport and dispense 

controlled substances at sites other than the veterinarian’s registered principal place of business as long as the sites are in a 

State where the veterinarian is licensed to practice veterinary medicine. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (new matter is printed in italic 

and existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT 

TITLE II—CONTROL AND ENFORCEMENT 

* * * * * * * 

PART C—REGISTRATION OF MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND

DISPENSERS OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES; PIPERIDINE REPORTING

* * * * * * * 

PERSONS REQUIRED TO REGISTER

SEC. 302. (a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(e)(1) A separate registration shall be required at each principal 

place of business or professional practice where the applicant manufactures, distributes, or dispenses controlled substances or list I 

chemicals. 

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a registrant who is a veterinarian shall not be required to have a separate registration in order 

to transport and dispense controlled substances in the usual course 

of veterinary practice at a site other than the registrant’s registered 

principal place of business or professional practice, so long as the 

site of transporting and dispensing is located in a State where the 

veterinarian is licensed to practice veterinary medicine and is not 

a principal place of business or professional practice. 

* * * * * * * 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REPORTS-HSE
6 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REPORTS-HSEInsert offset folio 11 here HR457P1.001

EXCHANGE OF LETTERS WITH ADDITIONAL COMMITTEES OF REFERRAL 

ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 

ltongress of the '1Iinitcd ~tates 

lftousc of 'Rcprcscnmtiocs COMMITIEE ON THE JUDICIARY 

2139 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BU;\.DINO 

WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6216 

The Honorable Fred Upton 

Chairman 

Committee on Energy and Commerce 

2125 Rayburn House Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Chairman Upton, 

April 28, 2014 

On April 3, 2014, the Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered reported H.R. 1528, the 

"Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 2013." As you know, the Committee on the Judiciary was given 

an additional referral on this measure upon introduction. As a result of your having consulted with the 

Judiciary Committee concerning provisions of the bill that fall within our Rule X jurisdiction, [to 

agree to discharge the Committee on the Judiciary from further consideration of H.R. 1528. 

The Judiciary Committee takes this action with our mutual understanding that, by foregoing 

consideration of H.R. 1528 at this time, we do not waive any jurisdiction over the subject matter 

contained in this or similar legislation, and that our committee will be appropriately consulted and 

involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward. Our committee also reserves the right to seek 

appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any House-Senate conference involving this or 

similar legislation, and requests your support for any such request. 

Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter confirming this understanding with 

respect to H.R. 1528, and would ask that a copy of our exchange of letters on this matter be included in 

the Congressional Record during consideration of the legislation on the House floor. 

cc: The Honorable John Boehner 

The Honorable John Conyers, Jr. 

The Honorable Henry Waxman 

Mr. Tom Wickham, Jr. 

m

erely, 

,,,.(4 

Chairman 

ooi! ~ 
7 


smartinez on DSK6TPTVN1PROD with REPORTS-HSEInsert offset folio 12 here HR457P1.002

FRED UPTON, MICH!GAN 

CHAIRMAN 

ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH CONGRESS 

HENRY A. WAXMAN, CALIFORNIA 

RANKING MEMBER 

({ongrt~~ of tbt itnittb ~tatt~ 

~OU!.'it of l\tprt!.'icutatibt!.'i 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND COMMERCE 

2125 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING 

WASHINGTON, DC 20515-6115 

The Honorable Bob Goodlatte 

Chainnan 

Committee on the Judiciary 

2138 Rayburn House Office Building 

Washington, D.C. 20515 

Dear Chainnan Goodlatte, 

Majority (2021225-2927 

Mmonty (202)225-3641 

April 29, 2014 

Thank you for your letter regarding H.R. 1528, the "Veterinary Medicine Mobility Act of 

2013." As you noted, the Committee on the judiciary was given an additional referral on this 

measure upon introduction. 

I appreciate your willingness to forgo action on H.R. 1528, and I agree that your decision 

is not a waiver of any of the Committee on the Judiciary's jurisdiction over the subject matter 

contained in this or similar legislation, and that the Committee will be appropriately consulted 

and involved as the bill or similar legislation moves forward. In addition, I understand the 

Committee reserves the right to seek appointment of an appropriate number of conferees to any 

House-Senate conference involving this or similar legislation, and you will have my support for 

any such request. 

I will include a copy of your letter and this response in the Congressional Record during 

consideration of H.R. 1528 on the House floor. 

Sincerely, 

Fred ~~ Upton 

- Chainnan 

o