Revision: May 14, 2026, 8 p.m.
Sen. Abbas, Dist 22
Sen. Birdsell, Dist 19
May 14, 2026
2026-1976s
07/09
Floor Amendment to HB 1423-FN
Amend the title of the bill by replacing it with the following:
AN ACT relative to the offense of improper influence and making synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research.
Amend the bill by replacing all after section 1 with the following:
2 Severability. If any provision of section 1 of this act or the application thereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are declared to be severable.
3 New Subdivision; Synthetic Kratom Policy. Amend RSA 318-B by inserting after section 50 the following new subdivision:
Synthetic Kratom Policy
318-B:51 Definitions. In this subdivision, "synthetic kratom" or "semisynthetic kratom" means:
I. An alkaloid or alkaloid derivative that has been created by chemical synthesis or biosynthetic means, including fermentation, recombinant techniques, yeast derived, and enzymatic techniques, rather than traditional food preparation techniques, such as heating or extracting that synthetically alters the composition of any kratom alkaloid or constituent; or
II. An alkaloid or alkaloid derivative contained in kratom that has been exposed to chemicals or processes that would confer a structural change in the alkaloids, resulting in material that has been chemically altered.
318-B:52 Synthetic Kratom Limitations. No person or entity person shall prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise synthetic or semisynthetic kratom, unless such preparation, distribution, manufacturing, sale, possession, or advertisement is undertaken for the sole purpose of scientific research.
4 New Paragraph; Controlled Drug Act; Scheduling by the Commissioner. Amend RSA 318-B:1-a by inserting after paragraph VIII the following new paragraph:
IX. Notwithstanding paragraph I, synthetic or semisynthetic kratom shall be classified as a schedule II controlled drug.
I. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
II. The remainder of this act shall take effect upon its passage.
2026-1976s
AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill:
I. Expands the offense of improper influence to include threats to immediate family members of a public servant, party official, or voter and provides mandatory minimum penalties for the certain violations of the offense.
II. Makes synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research.