SB 557-FN - AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE
03/12/2026 1159s
03/26/2026 1211s
2026 SESSION
26-2144
07/09
SENATE BILL 557-FN
SPONSORS: Sen. Altschiller, Dist 24; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Prentiss, Dist 5; Rep. Manos, Rock. 12; Rep. N. Murphy, Hills. 12
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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AMENDED ANALYSIS
This bill makes synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
03/12/2026 1159s
03/26/2026 1211s 26-2144
07/09
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 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.
2 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.
3 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
26-2144
04/02/2026
SB 557-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS AMENDED BY THE SENATE (AMENDMENT #2026-1211s)
FISCAL IMPACT:
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Estimated State Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Revenue Fund | None | |||||
Expenditures* | Indeterminable | |||||
Funding Source | General Fund | |||||
Appropriations* | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Funding Source | None | |||||
*Expenditure = Cost of bill *Appropriation = Authorized funding to cover cost of bill | ||||||
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Estimated Political Subdivision Impact | ||||||
| FY 2026 | FY 2027 | FY 2028 | FY 2029 | ||
County Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
County Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
Local Revenue | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | ||
Local Expenditures | Indeterminable | |||||
METHODOLOGY:
This bill adds, deletes, or modifies a criminal penalty, or changes statute to which there is a penalty for violation. Therefore, this bill may have an impact on the judicial and correctional systems, which could affect prosecution, incarceration, probation, and parole costs, for the state, as well as county and local governments. A summary of such costs can be found at: https://gencourt.state.nh.us/lba/Budget/Fiscal_Notes/JudicialCorrectionalCosts.pdf
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch, Judicial Council, Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, New Hampshire Association of Counties, and New Hampshire Municipal Association
| Date | Amendment |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | 2026-1052s |
| March 12, 2026 | 2026-1159s |
| March 18, 2026 | 2026-1211s |
| April 15, 2026 | 2026-1473h |
| Date | Body | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 10, 2026 | Senate | Hearing |
| Senate | Floor Vote | |
| March 12, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| March 26, 2026 | Senate | Floor Vote |
| April 8, 2026 | House | Hearing |
| April 14, 2026 | House | Exec Session |
| April 14, 2026 | House | Floor Vote |
April 15, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1473h 04/14/2026 (Vote 13-0; CC)
April 8, 2026: Executive Session: 04/14/2026 10:00 am GP 230
April 1, 2026: Public Hearing: 04/08/2026 11:00 am GP 159
March 27, 2026: Introduced (in recess of) 03/26/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 9
March 23, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1211s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 23, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1211s, AA, VV; 03/26/2026; SJ 7
March 19, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1211s, 03/26/2026; Vote 5-2; CC; SC 11
March 12, 2026: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1159s, MA, VV; Refer to Finance Rule 4-5; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 12, 2026: Sen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2026-1159s, AA, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 12, 2026: Without Objection, Sen. Avard Moved the Question, MA; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 12, 2026: Sen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2026-1159s; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 12, 2026: Committee Amendment # 2026-1052s, AF, VV; 03/12/2026; SJ 6
March 9, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1052s, 03/12/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 9
March 4, 2026: Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1052s, 03/12/2026, Vote 5-0; SC 9
Feb. 5, 2026: Hearing: 02/10/2026, Room 100, SH, 02:00 pm; SC 5A
Nov. 24, 2025: Introduced 01/07/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 1