FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 19, 2005

House rejects Senate's anti-meth bill amendments; asks for conference committee

OLYMPIA -- The House today rejected a 'watered-down' Senate-amended version of House Bill 2266 which will require stores to place certain cold and allergy medicines behind the counter, photo ID and logs to track the sales and asked the Senate for a conference.  

Rep. Tom Campbell, sponsor of the bill, urged the House to refuse Senate amendments to the bill that weakens the measure intended to keep medications from those who manufacture the illegal drug methamphetamine.

"The amendments the Senate added to my original bill gutted it," Campbell said. "It would not lessen the growing epidemic that methamphetamine has brought to our state."

The House requested a conference committee and the House selected three  members to iron out the differences with the Senate. The bill sponsors, Rep. Tom Campbell (R-Roy), Dawn Morrell (D-Puyallup) will be the House conferees in addition to Rep. Richard Curtis (R-LaCenter).

Campbell's original bill would require retailers to place all cold medications that contain precursors used in the manufacture of meth to be placed behind the counter in stores so customers could not have access to the products; would require a photo ID so only people over 18 years would be able to purchase these items, and it would require a log book for purchasers to sign so law enforcement would be able to track people who buy the medication.

"Without all three requirements, those who make meth would continue their illegal meth that is destructive to people, homes and communities," he said.

Campbell said he expects to work with the Senate to restore the bill to it's original form so, like a growing number of other states, Washington will have an effective tool for law enforcement.

“The 2005 legislative session is in it's last week, so it is imperative we get this done this week," Campbell said.

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