Skip to main content
HR 994 99th Congress House

Controlled Substances Penalties Act of 1985

Official title: A bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to modify criminal penalties for certain drug offenses.

Introduced: March 19, 1985 See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement BailCapital punishmentCocaineCorrections and Correctional Institutions
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Crime preventionCriminal procedure and sentencingDrugsDrugs and narcoticsNarcotic trafficNarcotics and crimeParolePretrial procedureSentences (Criminal procedure)
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 27, 1986
See H.R.5484.
Mar 6, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Crime.
Feb 26, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Health and the Environment.
Feb 6, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Feb 6, 1985
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Feb 6, 1985
Introduced in House
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Latest action October 27, 1986

See H.R.5484.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Controlled Substances Penalties Act of 1985 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to increase the penalties for offenses involving: (1) a kilogram or more of cocaine; (2) two or more kilograms of any other narcotic drug in schedule I or II; (3) a kilogram or more of phencyclidine (PCP); or (4) 25 grams or more of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Provides for a fine of not more than $500,000 or imprisonment for not more than 30 years. Prohibits any person from being released on bail pending trial for or appeal with respect to an offense under such Act. Requires first offenders to serve at least one half of their sentences before they become eligible for parole. Makes second drug offenders subject to the imposition of the death penalty or life imprisonment. Limits imposition of the death penalty to defendants who resisted arrest or were armed with dangerous weapons at the time of arrest.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 5484 Related bill Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986
 Committees of jurisdiction 4
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Smith, Christopher H.
New Jersey · Mar 19, 1985
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 994: Controlled Substances Penalties Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-994/
MLA
"H.R. 994: Controlled Substances Penalties Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-994/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 994, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-994/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 994: Controlled Substances Penalties Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-994/)
Report a problem