Rep. TOM CAMPBELL (R-Roy)
2nd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT
Olympia office: 334 John L. O'Brien Building
PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504-0600
Office: (360) 786-7912

For immediate release: Feb. 18, 2008

House unanimously passes mobile meth bill

Olympia -- The House today  unanimously approved, 94-0, legislation to set roles and procedures for the decontamination or demolition of mobile methamphetamine labs, usually older cars or trucks, that are contaminated by toxic chemicals in the manufacture of the meth.
     
Rep. Tom Campbell (R-Roy), who chairs the House Environmental Health Committee, introduced House Bill 2817 this year to require the decontamination or demolition of the vehicles because cars and trucks that have been used as illegal meth labs are often abandoned when the meth operators are finished with their production.

Mobile meth lab vehicles pose a significant environmental hazard because the manufacture of meth generates such toxic chemicals as ammonia, hydrochloric acid, solvents and lye -- about six pounds of toxic waste for every pound of the illegal drugs produced.

"When they're done with the vehicle, they often show up on car lots or in newspaper ads to sell with no indication of the illegal and toxic past," Campbell said. "These vehicles have toxic waste that is harmful to human beings, especially young children, and you may never know the vehicle is contaminated until it makes you sick."

Right now, there's no process in Washington to require either the decontamination or demolition of the vehicles. Under Campbell's bill it is illegal for any person to advertise for sale or to sell a vehicle contaminated with methamphetamine. The Department of Licensing would place notification on the title of such vehicles that it has been declared unfit.

"Under my bill, the property owner is responsible for the cost of the property's demolition, disposal or decontamination, as well as all costs incurred by the local health officer or the local law enforcement agency," Campbell said. "The decontamination must be done by an authorized contractor, if it is to be done."

The bill now goes to the Senate, where Campbell said he will work with senators closely during the final weeks of the 60-day session to get the bill considered. the 60-day session ends on March 13.

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Contact: Rep. Tom Campbell at (360) 786-7912 or campbell.tom@leg.wa.gov