Title: PANIC Act of 2022
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
Protecting America from Narcotics and Illicit Chemicals Act of 2022 or the PANIC Act of 2022
This bill expands the definition of major illicit drug producing country to include a country that is a significant direct source of certain drugs (or precursor chemicals for producing such drugs) that are significantly affecting the United States. The bill also expands the definition of major drug-transit country to include countries through which certain synthetic drugs are transported.
(Under current law, a country designated a major illicit drug producing country or major drug-transit country may be eligible for certain U.S. foreign assistance, including transfers of excess defense articles. However, a designated country that fails to adhere to commitments related to drug control measures may be barred from receiving other forms of foreign assistance and may also be subject to trade restrictions.)

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5234 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 5234

    To modify statutory definitions relating to narcotics and drug 
                  trafficking, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 12, 2022

Mr. Cornyn (for himself and Mr. Cardin) introduced the following bill; 
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
    To modify statutory definitions relating to narcotics and drug 
                  trafficking, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting America from Narcotics 
and Illicit Chemicals Act of 2022'' or the ``PANIC Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF MAJOR ILLICIT DRUG PRODUCING COUNTRY.

    Section 481(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 
2291(e)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``; or'' and 
                inserting a semicolon;
                    (B) in subparagraph (D), by striking the semicolon 
                at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) that is a significant direct source of 
                covered synthetic drugs or psychotropic drugs or other 
                controlled substances, including precursor chemicals 
                when those chemicals are used in the production of such 
                drugs and substances, significantly affecting the 
                United States;'';
            (2) by amending paragraph (5) to read as follows:
            ``(5) the term `major drug-transit country' means a country 
        through which are transported covered synthetic drugs or 
        psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances significantly 
        affecting the United States;'';
            (3) in paragraph (7), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
        semicolon;
            (4) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) the term `covered synthetic drug' has the meaning 
        given that term in section 5558 of the FENTANYL Results Act.''.
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