Ron Taylor — Said he was apologizing for asking many questions and continued questioning the witness.
Ron Taylor — Continued pressing on the immunity and liability provisions in the chapter.
Ron Taylor — Asked whether a family would be barred from a private cause of action if an Idaho child died from 7-OH.
Ron Taylor — Ron Taylor supported the motion but urged caution, warning that the legislation could have significant unintended or unseen consequences. He reinforced that concern by pointing to Utah as an example, saying its law may be facing repeal because of those consequences.
Ryan Restisi — Ryan Restisi continues his remote testimony by introducing himself, apologizing for audio issues, and then responding to another speaker’s characterization of his daughter. He says she did not use illegal or prescription drugs and died after taking kratom that was sold as a natural product. He explains that after her death he went back to the same store and recorded salespeople describing the product, and he says he researched kratom and found other states had outlawed it. He closes by arguing that Idaho should protect people rather than market a potentially poisonous substance as harmless.
James Dublin / Jamie Dublin — The chair misreads the next testifier's name and then corrects to Jamie Dublin.
Jamie Dublin — Jamie Dublin testifies in support of Senate Bill 1282, explaining that kratom helped her manage ADHD and transition off prescription medication. She adds that using a low serving size and respecting the plant has made it a positive tool in her life, emphasizing consumer safety and responsible use.
Jeremy DeLuca — Jeremy DeLuca is introduced as the next testifier, then he introduces himself as an Idaho entrepreneur and businessperson, notes that he uses kratom only when he has pain and does not feel dependent on it, explains that others use kratom to help with focus, energy, PTSD, anxiety, and overall well-being, and closes by asking the committee to support Senate Bill 1282.
Morgan Walton — Morgan Walton is introduced as the next testifier and then testifies in support of Senate Bill 1282 and the Creative Consumer Protection and Safety Act, arguing for regulation over prohibition. She identifies herself as a fourth-generation Idahoan and says kratom is a natural alternative that has helped veterans and parents. She asks lawmakers to support access to tested, labeled, safe products, and later responds to a question by warning that 7-OH and synthesized kratom products are a slippery slope that could cast a bad light on natural leaf kratom.
Ms. Walton — Ms. Walton is asked whether adding regulation around the sale of natural leaf could reduce deaths linked to adulterated products. She responds that proper testing and due diligence among companies selling kratom could eliminate many low-quality or 'garage' companies and improve product safety and quality.
Tracy Bacereccia — The next online testifier is introduced as Tracy Bacereccia.
Tracy Bostra Chair — The witness begins introducing herself online, but the name is unclear in the transcript.
Tracy Bastra Chair — Tracy Bastra Chair, speaking for the Idaho Chiefs of Police Association and the Meridian Police Department, opposes the bill and argues that kratom poses serious risks. She says kratom acts on opioid receptors and can cause physical dependence, warns against buying such products at retail locations without FDA oversight because of concerns about dosing and purity, and criticizes outside groups promoting kratom in Idaho. She also shares a personal example of a friend who used kratom to self-medicate mental health issues and ended up on a mental hold, urging the committee to listen to parents, coroners, and law enforcement.
Chief Master — The witness responds that Idaho should address kratom rather than waiting for the federal government.
Chief Pastor Chia — Chief Pastor Chia explains that kratom is addictive and emphasizes that addiction leads users to keep taking more and more of the product, reinforcing the concern that the danger extends beyond 7-OH alone.
Chief Pastor Rachea — Chief Pastor Rachea, speaking for the Idaho Chiefs of Police, states that the board unanimously opposed the bill and adds that all of their areas of work have seen the effects of kratom overdoses.
Joshua Gallupia — The next testifier is introduced, though the name is likely garbled.
Josh McAllopo — Josh McAllopo introduces himself and thanks the committee for the opportunity to speak. He expresses support for responsible regulation and consumer safety, says Senate Bill 1282 strikes the right balance as a regulatory framework for kratom, and closes by urging the committee to support S.B. 1282.
Camille Blaylock — Asked Joshua whether he worked in the industry and then yielded after his response.
Camille Blaylock — Asks whether the witness would support a full ban to pressure the FDA to act.
Camille Blaylock — Senator Blaylock votes aye.
Joshua — Said he was representing himself, not the industry.
Denae Jones — Denae Jones was introduced as the next testifier and then testified in opposition to the bill, saying natural kratom took the life of her niece. She clarified that the death was not her own but her niece’s, and argued that the bill would take away the family’s right to sue.
Robert Ferris — Robert Ferris was introduced as the next testifier and then testified in support of the bill as an Idaho business owner in the natural leaf kratom industry and an Army veteran. During questioning, he said he did not recall a clause specifically limiting manufacturer liability, questioned whether the bill actually limits liability, and noted that justified claims could still be pursued through the courts. He then began clarifying a prior statement when asked about kratom use in the service.
Mr. Ferris — Mr. Ferris clarified that his earlier comment was about how long kratom products have been in Idaho, not about using kratom during his Army service. He also confirmed his veteran service in the 321st Engineer Battalion and reiterated that he was not saying he used kratom while serving.
Mr. Ferris — Referenced as having made a similar point earlier.
Peyton Jones — Peyton Jones was introduced as the next testifier and then gave a unified statement as a 17-year-old witness. She said a product labeled natural kratom took her 23-year-old cousin Kylie, argued that the bill would allow kratom to remain on shelves and continue being aggressively marketed to kids in colorful packaging disguised as energy drinks and painkillers, and urged the committee to reject the bill to prevent other families from suffering a similar loss.
Laura Romney — Laura Romney testified virtually from Leighton, Utah, saying kratom has been life-changing for her severe trigeminal neuralgia after other treatments failed. She explained that she has taken it daily for nine years and that it has helped her function and regain her life. In response to safety concerns, she argued that kratom is not an opioid and does not suppress breathing, distinguishing it from 7-OH, and said she has researched the science behind it. She concluded by urging the committee to support the bill so vulnerable patients like her can retain access to pain relief options.
Tyson Baker — Tyson Baker was introduced and then testified as a business owner in support of stronger industry standards, GMP certification, and regulation to keep products safe and help responsible businesses compete. He argued that the industry should prioritize customer safety over quick profits and said kratom personally helped him stop drinking alcohol. He concluded by inviting questions and answered that kratom would not be banned if the bill did not pass.
Joshua Kohl — Senator Joshua Kohl asked whether kratom would be banned if the bill did not reach the governor or otherwise failed, essentially seeking clarification that the substance would not be banned if the legislation did not pass.
Mr. Baker — Mr. Baker testified that 7-hydroxy has damaged the reputation of legitimate kratom businesses and said most companies want to follow standards and operate responsibly. He indicated he would support stronger penalties if the committee wanted them, and argued that a uniform KCPA would create structure, accountability, and close loopholes. He also noted that companies carry product liability insurance and are prepared for civil claims, while saying he did not know why the private-action prohibition was included and that individuals retain their own civil rights. In response to questions about 7-hydroxy, he explained that kratom naturally produces only a very small amount of 7-hydroxy in the body, whereas shelf products are synthetically made and much stronger, comparing them to potent opioid drugs. He added that autopsies and testing vary by state and that standardized testing is needed, concluding that if a substance is in someone’s system it should show up in testing and deferring further discussion to Mack later.
Mrs. Romney — Referenced as a prior witness whose testimony about real-life impacts was just heard.
Mr. Ferry — Referenced as another person who had made a similar point; likely a transcription error for Ferris.
Norman Litchfield — Introduced as the next testifier and asked to introduce himself.
Dr. Norm Litchfield — Dr. Norm Litchfield, a psychiatrist and addiction medicine specialist and president of the Idaho Society of Addiction Medicine, testifies in support of the bill as an initial step toward better consumer protection and safety. He explains that he has heard multiple firsthand accounts from patients and colleagues about harms from unregulated kratom sales, including addiction, serious health consequences, damage to relationships and livelihoods, and even a death. He also cites a severe pediatric exposure case involving an 11-month-old who nearly died after accidental kratom exposure and required emergency treatment. In response to questions, he says he expects the FDA and DEA may eventually schedule kratom and its active metabolite, and argues that kratom, like opium, is a natural plant whose active metabolite produces opioid effects and can cause similar effects when taken in sufficient quantity.
Dr. Litchfield — Dr. Litchfield agrees to provide his testimony and supporting materials, noting he has his own testimony, his colleague's testimony, and additional provider and patient testimony. He then states that he personally supports a full ban, explaining that the risks of unregulated sales and availability at convenience stores outweigh concerns about withdrawal. He adds that he regularly sees patients suffering severe addiction-related problems and says he is testifying to improve education and awareness about the substance.
Kate Hill — Introduced as the next testifier, though the following section identifies the witness as Dr. Kate Hyle.
Dr. Kate Hyle — Dr. Kate Hyle, a family medicine and addiction medicine physician, testifies on behalf of the Idaho Society of Addiction Medicine in support of regulating kratom and 7-OH. She explains that 7-OH is a potent chemical related to kratom and says there are serious concerns about addiction, withdrawal, overdose, and patient harm from kratom use in Idaho. She supports the proposed regulation of 7-OH, recommends raising the legal purchase age for kratom from 18 to 21, increasing fines for violations, requiring clear warning labels, preserving a private cause of action, and ensuring the rules apply to all retailers, including online sellers.
Patrick Soutlier — Patrick Soutlier testifies in support of the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introducing himself and explaining that the bill would distinguish natural kratom from high-potency synthetic alternatives, improve clarity and safety, and provide Idahoans with the transparency and protection they deserve. He concludes by urging the committee to support the bill.
Michael Larson — Michael Larson testifies in support of the proposed kratom legislation, introducing himself as the owner of Bedrock Botanicals and a harm-reduction advocate with personal recovery experience. He argues that kratom deaths are rare and usually involve poly-drug use, says the bill is intended to improve product consistency and purity, and emphasizes that fentanyl is the far greater public health crisis. He appeals to his personal experience with addiction and loss to urge that kratom remain available as a tool for people dealing with pain and substance use, and he adds that medical marijuana is not relevant to the issue.
Edward Boyer — Edward Boyer is introduced as the next testifier and then begins his testimony by identifying himself as an emergency physician and medical toxicologist, leading into discussion of cause-of-death assessment.
Mr. Boyer — Mr. Boyer said he had no strong opinion for or against the bill but generally supports regulation. He then described his professional background managing opioid overdoses and publishing on opioid overdose treatment, and added that he was among the first to publish adverse-event research on kratom and later studied its physiological effects in long-term users in Malaysia on a Fulbright.
Dr. Boyer — Referenced as having just discussed the importance of medical examiner protocols and cause-of-death determination.
Julie VanOrden — Senator Van Orden votes aye.
Todd Lakey — Senator Lakey is recognized for a follow-up question.
Todd Lakey — Senator Lakey asks whether the witness is speaking for the Idaho Chiefs of Police and how the organization voted.
Todd Lakey — Senator Cole is called on for questions after Jones's testimony.
Todd Lakey — Senator Cole is called on to ask questions after Ferris's testimony.
Todd Lakey — Asked about immunity and limitations of liability in the bill.
Todd Lakey — The senator is directed to page four, line 14 of the bill text.