Committee Summary for House Criminal Justice and Public Safety (04/14/2026)

Member	Member	Member
Roy, Terry(Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Murray, Alissandra(Clerk)(D)[D-]2025	Rhodes, Jennifer(V Chairman)(R)[B+]2025
Harriott-Gathright, Linda(D)[CT]2025	Proulx, Mark(R)[C+]2025	Lascelles, Richard(R)[B+]2025
Morency, Pete(R)[B]2025	Paquette, Kathleen(R)[B+]2025	Murphy, Nancy(D)[CT]2025
Newman, Ray(D)[F]2025	Meuse, David(D)[F]2025	Devoid, Ricky(R)[A-]2025
Scherr, Buzz(D)[D-]2025	Sabourin dit Choinière, Matt(R)[A-]2025

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB557 1473H	Executive Session	(Second New Title) making synthetic and semisynthetic kratom illegal to prepare, distribute, manufacture, sell, possess, or advertise, with exceptions made for scientific research.	Altschiller, Debra(D)[CT]2025
SB625	Executive Session	(New Title) establishing a committee to study options for family members of intentional homicide victims where the department of justice does not file charges in a case.	Birdsell, Regina(R)[B-]2025
SB461 1344H	Executive Session	relative to the definition of hemp.	Fenton, Donovan(D)[F]2025
SB409 20261389H	Executive Session	relative to the penalties for the offense of disobeying an officer.	Gannon, Bill(R)[B-]2025

SB557 1473H: Support 00:27:07.984 - 10:21:38 AM; Representative Murphy moves amendment 1473H to simplify the bill by prohibiting kratom sales in retail establishments with liquor licenses, enforced by liquor enforcement. He notes the public health, safety, and addiction issues with kratom, especially in gas stations, variety stores, and vape shops. The amendment avoids a large fiscal note by not requiring DHHS involvement and aims to address most of the problem quickly without licensing kratom.
SB557 1473H: Support 00:28:50.731 - 10:23:21 AM; The representative seconds the motion and expresses gratitude for the amendment, viewing it as a good compromise to reduce access to kratom without rushing to schedule it federally. Acknowledges community impacts and supports lowering availability.
SB557 1473H: Support 00:29:55.731 - 10:24:26 AM; Representative Scherer agrees with the amendment, noting it better addresses the issue than her proposed amendment to the original bill. From the public hearing, concerns included kratom not being ready for regulation and gray areas in definitions like synthetic, semi-synthetic, and concentrates. The amendment avoids criminalization and high costs, adequately managing the issue for now.
SB557 1473H: Information Only 00:33:27.069 - 10:27:58 AM; Danielle explains that the amendment allows administrative handling through the liquor licensing process without criminal penalties. It targets 75% of sales in licensed stores like tobacco shops and corner stores. Unlicensed establishments are not covered, but this is a practical step until federal scheduling. The agency also oversees tobacco licenses, broadening coverage.
SB557 1473H: Oppose 00:35:18.929 - 10:29:49 AM; The representative appreciates efforts but concerns that restricting only liquor-licensed stores could drive sales to unlicensed places or street pushers, increasing dependency markets. Suggests making it illegal everywhere to act quickly, even if imperfect, rather than amending and sending back to the Senate.
SB557 1473H: Information Only 00:36:45.365 - 10:31:16 AM; Discusses the scope of the bill covering licensed establishments for alcohol and tobacco, estimating it covers about 75% of sales locations for kratom. Explains that there are around 6,400 licensees, with 1,500 tobacco licenses, requiring removal of unauthorized products. Notes potential for kratom to appear in unregulated places like CBD stores.
SB557 1473H: Support 00:39:14.510 - 10:33:45 AM; Supports the amendment as a harm reduction measure that removes 75% of kratom from circulation. Highlights the practical enforcement by the Liquor Commission and avoids immediate need for complex drug scheduling discussions. Emphasizes the bill's meaningful impact without requiring severe penalty debates today.
SB557 1473H: Support 00:41:33.536 - 10:36:04 AM; Thanks Representative Murphy for the elegant solution provided by the amendment. Proceeds to vote without further discussion.
SB557 1473H: Support 00:49:46.115 - 10:44:17 AM; Roll call vote on adopting the amendment: All 12 members vote yes (12-0). Then motion to Ought to Pass as amended, all 13 vote yes (13-0). Bill passes on consent.
SB625: Support 00:49:46.115 - 10:44:17 AM; Moves Ought to Pass. Discusses cases bringing the issue to light, notes Senate's view as a beginning solution. Emphasizes need for implementation ideas from those affected and an avenue for answers not forthcoming from agencies.
SB625: Support 00:52:03.840 - 10:46:34 AM; Seconds the motion and agrees on the frustration for families seeking movement. Supports as a great first start to provide knowledge and potentially advance cases.
SB625: Support 00:53:04.080 - 10:47:35 AM; Struggles with the bill from public defender experience but supports it as worth a shot. Clarifies constitutional limits on forcing indictments. Suggests funding more victim witness advocates for communication. Notes it may not fully satisfy families but proceeds.
SB625: Information Only 00:54:11.120 - 10:48:42 AM; Acknowledges no perfect solution due to government branches' roles. Hopes the study committee develops ideas like an ombudsman for information release.
SB625: Support 00:55:17.360 - 10:49:48 AM; Supports Ought to Pass, citing testimony from families seeking closure for nearly a decade, including a case in her district.
SB625: Information Only 00:55:17.360 - 10:49:48 AM; Questions if the study committee can investigate specific cases heard in testimony. Chairman responds that it focuses on broad issues, not re-litigating cases, without subpoena powers.
SB625: Information Only 00:56:32.320 - 10:51:03 AM; Emphasizes avoiding re-litigation of specific cases, calling it a rabbit hole. Suggests looking at patterns for policy changes.
SB625: Information Only 00:57:35.680 - 10:52:06 AM; Notes the study's charge is broad but typically not exhaustive; suggests a commission for deeper review, like a conviction integrity unit. Supports continuing the conversation.
SB625: Information Only 00:58:45.090 - 10:53:16 AM; Agrees the committee could recommend a permanent commission if complex.
SB625: Information Only 00:59:51.470 - 10:54:22 AM; Clarifies conviction integrity units address post-conviction issues, not the pre-charge problems here. Urges caution on avenues like U.S. Attorney or public pressure.
SB625: Support 01:01:02.610 - 10:55:33 AM; Roll call vote on Ought to Pass: All 13 members vote yes (13-0). Bill passes on consent.
SB461 1344H: Support 01:06:13.484 - 11:00:44 AM; Moves adoption of amendment 1344H and Ought to Pass as amended. Explains the amendment clarifies the definition of hemp by replacing 'delta-9' with 'total' THC concentration, at the request of bill workers.
SB461 1344H: Information Only 01:08:31.542 - 11:03:02 AM; Questions the significance of 0.3% THC on dry weight basis. Representative Murray notes it was unchanged from the original bill.
SB461 1344H: Support 01:08:31.542 - 11:03:02 AM; Roll call on adopting amendment: All 13 vote yes (13-0). Roll call on Ought to Pass as amended: All 13 vote yes (13-0). Passes on consent.
SB409 20261389H: Support 01:10:44.482 - 11:05:15 AM; Moves adoption of amendment 20261389H. Explains narrowing the original overbroad bill to specific dangerous behaviors: 30 mph over limit, extinguishing lights, wrong-way driving, causing collisions, or other hazardous evasion creating risk of death or injury. Cites state police data on pursuits mostly by adults, increasing numbers, and need to control them to prevent deaths.
SB409 20261389H: Support 01:11:45.322 - 11:06:16 AM; Seconds the motion, agrees the explanation covers it well.
SB409 20261389H: Support 01:15:34.875 - 11:10:05 AM; Supports as a big improvement narrowing the bill. Expresses concern that the 'in addition to refusing to stop' language prevents charging felony for mere refusal, ensuring it's for extra hazardous actions.
SB409 20261389H: Information Only 01:17:43.258 - 11:12:14 AM; The discussion focuses on clarifying statutory language in Section 3B of the amendment. A member notes potential misinterpretation due to lack of 'or' between subsections 1 through 5, suggesting it could be read as requiring all conditions to be met. The chair agrees to add 'or' and confer with the drafting attorney. They also address language in point five regarding substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury, questioning inclusion of 'the person' (the operator). They decide to remove 'the person' to focus on risk to the officer or general public, providing an example of off-road pursuit hazards. The session recesses to no date certain, with plans to reconvene next Tuesday at 10 a.m. to finalize.