On September 16, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Committee held a Full Committee markup of legislation to enhance American technological development and strengthen communications networks. During the markup, lawmakers deliberated 16 bills, including H.R. 7945, the Nitrous Oxide Safety Act of 2026, which was introduced by Representative Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15). This bill would direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to designate nitrous oxide as a banned hazardous product, prohibiting its sale for household and recreational use. Medical, industrial, and research applications of this product would be exempt from this ban. The Committee favorably reported this bill to the full House by a roll call vote of 36 to 0.

Impact on General Dentistry: This bill explicitly preserves the ability of dentists and other licensed healthcare professionals to obtain and administer nitrous oxide for patient care. As currently drafted, its primary impact on general dentistry would be to protect continued access to nitrous oxide sedation while restricting non-medical retail sales.

More information on the hearing may be found here. The full text of the bill may be found here.