SB 557-FN (2026): making synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research, and relative to the official ballot referendum form of town meetings.

SB 557-FN (2026)

making synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research, and relative to the official ballot referendum form of town meetings.

• Status: Died: the chambers did not agree on a version
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• Senate committee: Judiciary
• Subject: Public and Mental Health

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the Senate Judiciary committee. The committee voted unanimously, 5–0, to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1052s). The committee's amendment (2026-1052s) was rejected on a voice vote on March 12, 2026. On March 12, 2026 the Senate adopted “Without Objection, Sen. Avard Moved the Question”. A floor amendment (2026-1159s), offered by Sen. Daryl Abbas, was adopted on a voice vote on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote, then referred it on to the Senate Finance committee. The committee voted 5–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1211s), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1211s) was adopted on a voice vote on March 26, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 26, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. It crossed to the House on March 26, 2026 and was referred to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 8, 2026, with 137 people signed in online: 95 in support, 39 in opposition and 3 as neutral. The committee met in executive session on April 14, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The committee voted unanimously, 13–0, to recommend that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1473h), and the report was placed on the consent calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1473h) was adopted on a voice vote on April 23, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On April 23, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a voice vote. On April 23, 2026 the bill was referred to the Finance committee. The committee held a work session on May 4, 2026. The committee met in executive session on May 5, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-1798h), and the minority recommended that the House pass it, by a vote of 13–11. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-1798h) was rejected on a division vote 153–180 on May 14, 2026. A floor amendment (2026-1971h), offered by Rep. Diane Pauer, was adopted on a roll call 171–162 on May 14, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On May 14, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a division vote 176–157. On May 21, 2026 the Senate voted to reject the other chamber's changes on a voice vote, on a motion by Sen. Bill Gannon.

Sponsors

• Sen. Debra Altschiller (D - SD24) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Zoe Manos (D - Rock 12)
• Rep. Nancy Murphy (D - Hills 12)
• Sen. Suzanne Prentiss (D - SD5)
• Sen. David Watters (D - SD4)

Hearings and Sessions

• February 10, 2026, 2:00 PM: hearing, Senate Judiciary, SH 100
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, Senate
• March 26, 2026: consent calendar, Senate
• April 8, 2026, 11:00 AM: public hearing, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 159
• April 14, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Criminal Justice and Public Safety, GP 230
• April 23, 2026: consent calendar, House
• May 4, 2026, 10:00 AM: work session, House Finance, GP 230
• May 5, 2026, 10:30 AM: executive session, House Finance, GP 230
• May 14, 2026: floor debate, House
• May 21, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 12, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1159s — voice vote, passed
• March 26, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass with Amendment #2026-1211s — voice vote, passed
• April 23, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1473h — voice vote, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Adopt Committee Amendment — yeas 153, nays 180, failed
• May 14, 2026, House: Adopt Floor Amendment — yeas 171, nays 162, passed
• May 14, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment 2026-1971h — yeas 176, nays 157, passed
• May 21, 2026, Senate: Nonconcur with the House Amendment — voice vote, passed

The Docket

Laws It Would Change

• RSA 175:1
• RSA 40:14
• RSA 179:50

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• SJ 1
• SC 5A
• SC 9
• SJ 6
• SC 11
• SJ 7
• HJ 9, page 54
• HJ 11, pages 6 and 15
• HC 19, page 24
• HJ 13, pages 97 and 100
• SJ 13
• House Calendar 16, 2026, committee report
• This page’s data as JSON