As ordered reported by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 10, 2014
H.R. 4709 would modify certain administrative procedures followed by the Department of Justice in regulating controlled substances. In addition, within one year of enactment, the bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to assess the effect of law enforcement activities on access to medications, examine potential benefits to patients from collaborations between governments and stakeholders, and report to the Congress on these matters.
Based on the cost of similar activities, CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 in 2015; any spending would be subject to availability of appropriated funds. Enacting the legislation would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
H.R. 4709 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.