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HB 1423 · 2026 · House · Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee

Improper influence and kratom ban

AI-generated

(New Title) 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.

Expands the offense of improper influence to include threats against immediate family members of public servants, party officials, or voters, sets mandatory minimum penalties, and makes synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal except for scientific research.AI-generated

Status

Recommended for passage but never voted; died at adjournment · May 14, 2026
  1. ✓Introduced
  2. ✓House
  3. ✕Senate
  4. Governor
  5. Law

Analysis

This bill expands the offense of improper influence to include threats to immediate family members of a public servant, party official, or voter. This bill further provides mandatory minimum penalties for the certain violations of the offense.

From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.

Official record

Bill page — docket & status

gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source

Sponsors

Rep. Keith AmmonRPrimeMajority Floor Leader
  • Rep. Shane SiroisRClerk· Legislative Administration
  • Rep. Brian LabrieRClerk· Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Also: Rep. Henry GiassonR, Rep. James ThibaultR, Rep. Cyril AuresR, Rep. Daniel Popovici-MullerR, Rep. Mike BelcherR

Public testimony

8 signed in online · 4 wrote testimony

13% support88% oppose0% neutral

In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted

“HB 1423 is unnecessary and harmful. Existing laws already address threats, and mandatory minimums undermine judicial judgment without improving safety.”
— Kathleen Malsbenden, Newmarketopposes
“Testimony on HB 1423: Relative to the Offense of Improper Influence I strongly oppose HB 1423 due to its underpinnings that risk eroding public trust in our political and judicial systems.…”
— georgina Lambert, Belmontopposes

Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.

Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026

Hearings

  • 2026-01-1510:00 amHouse Criminal Justice and Public SafetyGP 159Public hearing
  • 2026-03-311:00 pmSenate JudiciarySH 100Public hearing

Legislative history

  1. Jan 7, 2026HouseIntroduced 01/07/2026 and referred to Criminal Justice and Public Safety HJ 1 P. 19
  2. Jan 15, 2026HousePublic Hearing: 01/15/2026 02:30 pm GP 159
  3. Feb 18, 2026HouseExecutive Session: 02/18/2026 02:30 pm GP 159
  4. Feb 18, 2026HouseMajority : Ought to Pass 02/18/2026 (Vote 7-5; RC) HC 10 P. 33
  5. Mar 2, 2026HouseMinority : Inexpedient to Legislate
  6. Mar 11, 2026HouseOught to Pass: MA DV 174-158 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 79
  7. Mar 12, 2026SenIntroduced 03/12/2026 and Referred to Judiciary; SJ 7
  8. Mar 31, 2026Sen==ROOM CHANGE== Hearing: 03/31/2026, Room 100, SH, 01:35 pm; SC 12
  9. Apr 16, 2026Sen: Ought to Pass, 04/16/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 14
  10. May 14, 2026SenSpecial Order to 05/14/2026, Without Objection, MA; 04/16/2026 SJ 9
  11. May 14, 2026SenCommittee Report: Ought to Pass, 05/14/2026, Vote 3-2; SC 18
  12. May 14, 2026SenSen. Abbas Floor Amendment # 2026-1976s, AA, VV; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  13. May 14, 2026SenOught to Pass with Amendment # 2026-1976s, MA, VV; OT3rdg; 05/14/2026; SJ 12
  14. May 21, 2026HouseHouse Non-Concurs with Senate Amendment 2026-1976s (Rep. Roy): MA VV 05/21/2026 HJ 14 P. 2

Coverage

No reporting linked yet.

Documents (PDF)

Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.