H.B. No. 227 seeks to regulate kratom and kratom products in Texas by amending the Health and Safety Code, which includes redesignating Chapter 444 as Chapter 445 and introducing new definitions such as "kratom processor" and "kratom retailer." The bill mandates that kratom products be tested by accredited laboratories for safety and proper labeling before sale. It establishes criminal offenses related to the sale and distribution of kratom, particularly to individuals under 21, and significantly increases civil penalties for violations, with fines escalating from $2,500 for the first offense to $10,000 for subsequent violations. The bill also prohibits the sale of kratom products near schools and introduces penalties for false laboratory reports and the sale of kratom intended for smoking or in pill form.

Additionally, the bill expands Penalty Group 1 to include various kratom alkaloids and their synthetic equivalents, such as mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, thereby enhancing the regulation of substances derived from kratom. It modifies existing language in Penalty Group 1 to add new substances, including Etodesnitazene and Tianeptine, while classifying kratom alkaloids and their analogues under this group. The bill clarifies that the new legal changes will apply only to offenses committed after its effective date and will take precedence over any conflicting legislation from the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025. The Act is set to take effect 91 days after the conclusion of the legislative session.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Health and Safety Code 481.002, Health and Safety Code 481.102, Health and Safety Code 481.103 (Health and Safety Code 481)