Latest news with #BobHallstrom
Associated Press
20-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Nebraska Passes Kratom Consumer Protection Act, Setting a State Standard for Kratom Regulation
LOS ANGELES, CA, May 19, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) applauds the Nebraska Legislature for the successful passage of Legislative Bill 230, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introduced by State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1, Syracuse, NE). This critical legislation establishes common-sense regulations that enhances consumer safety and promotes the responsible manufacturing, marketing, and sale of kratom products in Nebraska. GKC has been actively engaged with Nebraska lawmakers since early 2024, advocating for evidence-based standards that preserve access to natural kratom while shielding the public from dangerous synthetic products that falsely claim to be kratom. LB 230 includes robust protections for consumers, such as prohibiting the marketing of kratom products to children, banning sales to individuals under 21 years old, and requiring product labeling that discourages use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. 'The Nebraska legislature should be commended for leading the way in creating common sense regulations for kratom, keeping it safe and accessible for consumers,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Nebraska lawmakers have created a model for other states to pursue by including provisions in the legislation with some real teeth.' One of the most impactful provisions of the bill restricts the level of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) in kratom products to no more than 2% of the total alkaloid composition. This critical safeguard eliminates the threat posed by highly concentrated 7OH synthetic products — commonly referred to as '7'— which have been proliferating across the country. Unlike natural-leaf kratom, these synthetically altered products contain eight unknown compounds and levels of 7OH up to 100 times higher than naturally occurring kratom. These untested products lack scientific backing for claims of treating chronic pain and opioid use disorder. Despite mounting scientific consensus and public health concern, groups like the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) have actively sought to undermine the bill or strip out key consumer protections. HART continues to promote synthetic '7' products without offering credible data, directly contradicting the views of leading U.S. kratom researchers who assert that '7' products should not be considered kratom. During a press event in October 2024, HART panelists advocated for regulating 7OH products as though they were natural kratom, making unapproved drug claims without FDA authorization. 'When organizations like HART are advocating for products that are unapproved drugs that have not gone through the FDA approval process,' said Lowe. 'Without FDA approval, selling those products is unlawful and puts consumers at risk.' Since the introduction of LB 230 on January 14, 2025, GKC has worked closely with stakeholders to ensure the legislation balances access to safe, natural kratom with strong protections against dangerous synthetic alternatives. 'Our goal has always been to support legislation that empowers consumers to make informed choices and preserves access to responsibly manufactured kratom products,' said Lowe. 'With the passage of Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act, we've made a significant leap toward that vision.' The Global Kratom Coalition thanks the Nebraska Legislature for standing up for consumer safety and urges other states to follow Nebraska's lead by adopting meaningful, science-based kratom regulation. About Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Media Contact Patrick George +1 916-202-1982 [email protected] ### SOURCE: Global Kratom Coalition Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Global Kratom Coalition Supports Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act (LB 230)
GKC celebrates the closing of loopholes to protect consumers from dangerous 7-hydroxymitragynine products mislabeled as kratom LOS ANGELES, CA, March 12, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- The Global Kratom Coalition (GKC) has been working with the Nebraska legislature since early 2024 in support of Nebraska's Legislative Bill 230, the Kratom Consumer Protection Act, introduced by State Senator Bob Hallstrom (District 1, Lincoln-NE). This proposed legislation aims to establish common-sense regulations that will enhance consumer safety and promote responsible manufacturing, marketing, and sale of kratom products in Nebraska. Among the bill's key provisions are measures designed to protect consumers, including prohibiting the marketing of kratom products designed to appeal to children, prohibiting the sale of kratom products to individuals under 21 years of age, and requiring product labeling that discourages use by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. One of the most important regulations in LB 230 ensures that any level of 7-hydroxymitragynine (7OH) does not exceed 2% of the overall alkaloid composition of the product. This safeguard effectively eliminates the risk associated with synthesized high-potency isolate 7OH products (known as '7') that are proliferating across the state. Unlike natural-leaf kratom products, synthesized products like '7' contain eight unknown compounds and 100 times more 7OH than true kratom products. These new, untested products have no scientific data to support their use. They are being marketed as a cure for the opioid crisis when in fact they are fueling their own addiction and health crises through their unfettered access across the nation. Organizations such as the Holistic Alternative Recovery Trust (HART) are attempting to either kill kratom regulations bills or strike out core consumer safety provisions that protect consumers from these dangerous synthetic products. They have no data to support their position and contradict opinions expressed by the leading kratom scientists in the US who say '7" products should not be considered kratom. Proponents of '7" are not making factual or credible claims about the safety and efficacy of these products. HART's aim to promote '7" products comes at the risk of consumers. During a press event held by HART in October 2024, panel members advocated for the regulation of 7OH products as if they were natural kratom, making unapproved new drug claims. 'When organizations like HART make unapproved claims that 7OH products are intended for pain relief or opioid use disorder, they are promoting these products as drugs as defined by the FDA,' said Matthew Lowe, Executive Director of the Global Kratom Coalition. 'Without prior FDA approval, such products are unlawful to sell.' The Global Kratom Coalition has been actively involved in encouraging the development of LB 230 since its introduction on January 14, 2025, working alongside stakeholders to ensure that consumers have access to safe, natural kratom products and are protected from dangerous synthesized alternatives. 'Our goal is to support legislation that empowers consumers to make informed decisions while maintaining continued access to responsibly manufactured kratom products,' Lowe added. 'Nebraska's Kratom Consumer Protection Act is a significant step forward in achieving those goals.' The Global Kratom Coalition urges lawmakers and stakeholders to support LB 230 and reject any attempts to weaken the bill's vital protections for consumers. About the Global Kratom Coalition The Global Kratom Coalition is an alliance of kratom consumers, experts, and industry leaders dedicated to protecting access to kratom while advancing scientific research, driving consumer education, and developing robust regulations to protect consumers. For more information, visit Patrick George
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nebraska Legislature approves measure classifying gig economy workers as independent contractors
The Nebraska Legislature has approved a measure classifying some gig economy workers as independent contractors, according to its website. L.B. 229, introduced by state Sen. Bob Hallstrom, was approved Monday, with 33 voting in favor and 15 opposed. Under the measure, ride-hailing service drivers and some delivery drivers, via state law, become independent contractors. Nebraska state Sen. John Cavanaugh slammed the measure Monday in a report from the Omaha World-Herald, saying L.B. 229 'shifts the balance of power from currently more balanced — although still in favor of these corporations — but shifts it more in the favor of the corporations and [against] these workers.' Earlier this year, the California Supreme Court ruled that Uber and Lyft drivers could be classified as independent contractors rather than employees. The court backed a ballot measure that began as an effort of last resort by companies like DoorDash and Instacart to try not to classify drivers as employees and extend worker benefits. In 2022, Washington state passed a law setting forth a standard of minimum pay and benefits for drivers contracting with ride-hailing companies. It became the first state to create not just a baseline for earnings but a paid sick leave policy as well for independent contractors. The Hill has reached out to Hallstrom for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
11-03-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Nebraska legislature approves measure classifying gig economy workers as independent contractors
The Nebraska Legislature has approved a measure classifying some gig economy workers as independent contractors, according to their website. LB229, introduced by Sen. Bob Hallstrom (R), was approved Monday, with 33 voting in favor and 15 opposed. Under the measure, rideshare and some delivery drivers, via state law, become independent contractors. Nebraska Sen. John Cavanaugh (D) slammed the measure on Monday in a report from The Omaha World-Herald, saying that LB229 'shifts the balance of power from currently more balanced — although still in favor of these corporations — but shifts it more in the favor of the corporations and (against) these workers.' Earlier this year, the California Supreme Court ruled that Uber and Lyft drivers could be classified as independent contractors rather than employees. The court backed a ballot measure that had begun as an effort of last resort by companies like DoorDash and Instacart to try and not classify drivers as employees and extend worker benefits. In 2022, Washington state passed a law setting forth a standard of minimum pay and benefits for drivers contracting with ride-hailing companies. It became the first state to create not just a baseline for earnings but a paid sick leave policy as well for independent contractors.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Nebraska cybersecurity liability bill moves closer to becoming law
State Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse. Jan. 8, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — Nebraska State Sen. Bob Hallstrom's bill to provide private entities with immunity from liability for data breaches is one step closer to becoming state law. After an hour-long floor debate Friday and a failed attempt to amend the bill, the legislation advanced to the final round in a 29-9 vote. The proposed law would make it harder to sue a business in the event of a hack, unless caused by the 'willful, wanton or gross negligence' of a business. Hallstrom, of Syracuse, said during the bill's committee hearing that many lawsuits have been filed in which the plaintiffs did not suffer monetary harm. Some lawmakers have said the bill could weaken consumer protections and would give businesses unnecessary and special legal protections if hacked. State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha proposed an amendment to LB 241 that would have ensured it 'does not undermine or impede the rights of anyone under the Nebraska data privacy act.' 'I don't like this bill … but again, I'm asking for your green vote on AM47, because all it says is that we are not intentionally repealing or undermining the data privacy act,' Cavanaugh said. The amendment failed 26-9. State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte said the amendment was a tactic to stall the bill. 'It's time to move on, get the bill passed, do the people's business and move on to the agenda,' Jacobson said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
