FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2628

                          C 78 L 98

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Increasing the penalty for manufacture of methamphetamine.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schoesler, Quall, Costa, O'Brien, Dunshee, Ballasiotes, Dyer, Thompson, Wolfe and Lambert; by request of Governor Locke.

House Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

Background:  It is a felony offense for a person to manufacture, deliver or possess with intent to deliver the drug methamphetamine.  This offense is classified at seriousness Level VIII under the sentencing guidelines.  Level VIII offenses are punishable by a presumptive sentence of between 21 and 144 months imprisonment depending on the offender's prior criminal history.

Summary:  The crime of manufacturing methamphetamine is increased to a seriousness Level X under the sentencing guidelines, which is punishable by a standard range sentence of between 51 and 198 months imprisonment, depending on the offender's prior criminal history.  This penalty increase applies to methamphetamine crimes committed on or after July 1, 1998.

Votes on Final Passage:

House980

Senate430

Effective:June 11, 1998