Committee hears sharply divided testimony on HB 864 to schedule kratom

The House Health and Welfare Committee spent the morning and early afternoon on House Bill 864, which would classify certain kratom-related substances as Schedule I. Sponsor Representative Michael Hanka framed the bill as a public‑safety response to law enforcement reports and deaths linked to kratom: “they're telling me, hey, the next problem becoming the force is gonna be kratom,” he said, introducing the measure.

Co‑sponsor Representative Aaron Bingham provided handouts and data for the panel, citing national and local figures and urging strict scheduling. Bingham summarized materials from physicians, sheriffs and rehab providers and told the committee he had seen local evidence that kratom use can cause severe effects and death. He cited a figure he attributed to the CDC — “995 overdose deaths nationwide were reported in 2024” — and said his county had seen multiple kratom‑related fatalities.

Testimony at the committee split sharply. Law‑enforcement witnesses and the Bonneville County coroner urged immediate action, saying unregulated sales and concentrated products are appearing in stores and around schools. Conversely, retailers, consumers and some medical witnesses urged a regulatory path modeled on state Kratom Consumer Protection Acts — including product testing, labeling and age limits — warning that an outright ban could push consumers to black markets or more dangerous substances.

Committee members expressed the need for more medical and toxicology expertise before deciding. With more than three dozen people signed up to testify, the chair limited speakers to two minutes each and scheduled continuation of testimony at 08:00 the following day; no vote was taken.