Tennessee Senate Bill 1656 / House Bill 1649
Official Bill Page:
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=SB1656&ga=114
Companion Bill Page:
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB1649&ga=114
Text:
https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/SB1656.pdf
Senate Directory:
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/LegislatorInfo/Directory?chamber=S
Sponsorship: Republican-led bill with broad House support
Status: Active
Action: 2026-04-08 – Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
Pending: Senate Calendar Committee
Summary
This bill would turn kratom into a criminal offense in Tennessee. The bill summary says it would make knowingly possessing kratom a Class A misdemeanor, and manufacturing, delivering, selling, or possessing with intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell kratom a Class C felony, with harsher penalties in some cases involving minors.
Useful Government Page
The most useful government page right now is the official Tennessee bill page for SB 1656, because it shows the live Senate status and full action history:
https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=SB1656&ga=114
Public Testimony / Hearing
I did not find a currently posted public hearing or testimony submission page for SB 1656 at this stage. The bill is now pending in the Senate Calendar Committee, so the main pressure point is direct contact with Senate offices.
Senator Todd Gardenhire [R]
Primary Sponsor
sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov
615-741-6682
Senator Joey Hensley [R]
Cosponsor
615-741-3100
Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally [R]
Cosponsor
615-741-6806
Senator Bill Powers [R]
Senate Calendar Committee / key contact
sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov
615-741-2374