HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

 SB 6464

Title:An act relating to manufacture of methamphetamine.

Brief Description:Increasing the penalty for manufacture of methamphetamine.

Sponsors:Senators Goings, Winsley, Roach, Anderson, Patterson, Fairley, Franklin, McAuliffe, Jacobsen, Horn, Haugen, Schow, Rasmussen, and Oke.   By request of Governor Locke.

House Committee on Criminal Justice and Corrections

Hearing Date:February 27, 1998.

Prepared By:Yvonne Walker, Research Analyst (786‑7841).

Background:Methamphetamine is a controlled substance.  It is unlawful to manufacture, deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture or deliver methamphetamine.  The penalty for violating this law is a maximum of 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $25,000, or both,  if the crime involved less than two kilograms of the drug.  If the crime involved two kilograms or more, the penalty is 10 years in prison, a fine of not more than $100,000 for the first two kilograms and not more than an additional $50 for each gram in excess of two kilograms, or both imprisonment and the fine.  Under the Sentencing Reform Act, this drug crime is ranked at a level VIII, class B felony, which means that a first time offender would have a presumptive prison term of 21-27 months in prison.  The actual sentence an offender would receive depends on the offender=s prior criminal history and other current charges.

Summary:Under the Sentencing Reform Act, the manufacture of methamphetamine is increased from a level VIII to a X.  A first time offender would have a presumptive prison term of 51-68 months in prison.

This act applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 1998.

Rules Authority:No.

Fiscal Note:None.

Effective Date:Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.