Committee reviews SB48 to schedule 7‑hydroxy kratom alkaloid amid $1 million fiscal estimate

Senators and staff discussed SB48 on Wednesday, a bill that would schedule 7‑hydroxy and certain related kratom alkaloids as Schedule I under state controlled‑substances law.

The bill’s sponsor (speaker 13) told the committee the fiscal note was “a little over $1,000,000” and that he was uncertain how corrections staff arrived at that estimate. He said the bill focuses narrowly on 7‑hydroxy and related alkaloids and allows for tight trace‑amount exemptions for naturally occurring 7‑hydroxy in kratom products. A competing bill (SB45) would take a broader approach by banning all kratom alkaloids, the sponsor said.

Committee members pressed staff and the sponsor on whether the fiscal note assumes increased arrests, probation and prison commitments. LFA staff said much of the fiscal estimate is driven by assumptions about additional commitments to prison and probation if the substance is added to the Controlled Substances Act. The sponsor said law enforcement has already encountered illegal 7‑hydroxy in multiple busts.

During Q&A the sponsor characterized the substance as especially hazardous, saying it is “20 times more potent than morphine.” Committee members asked whether restricting retail availability would simply drive supply to an existing black market; the sponsor acknowledged those concerns and said the bill narrows trace‑amount exceptions compared with some out‑of‑state models.

No committee action was taken; the senator said staff from corrections and fiscal analysts should be consulted to clarify the fiscal assumptions.