HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 2628

Title:An act relating to manufacture of methamphetamine. 

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 and Corrections

Hearing Date:January 30, 1998. 

Prepared By:Mark G. Hamilton, Counsel (786-7310). 

Background:Currently, the manufacture of, delivery of, or possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine (violation of RCW 69.50.401(a)(1)(ii)) is classified at seriousness Level VIII under the sentencing guidelines.  These offenses are therefore punishable by between 21 and 144 months imprisonment. 

Summary:Amends RCW 9.94A.320, Table 2 of the Sentencing Guidelines, specifying the crimes within each seriousness level, as follows: 

The manufacture of methamphetamine is elevated to seriousness Level X, which is punishable by between 51 and 198 months imprisonment.  The delivery of or possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine remains a Level VIII offense. 

Rules Authority:No. 

Fiscal Note:Requested January 23, 1998. 

Effective Date:The amendments made by this bill would apply to offenses committed on or after July 1, 1998.