BILL REQ. #:  H-3856.1 

Read first time 01/10/2006.   Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections.

     AN ACT Relating to the possession of methamphetamine precursors; adding a new section to chapter 9.91 RCW; and prescribing penalties.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 9.91 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
     (a) "Iodine matrix" means iodine at a concentration greater than two percent by weight in a matrix or solution.
     (b) "Matrix" means something, as a substance, in which something else originates, develops, or is contained.
     (c) "Methylsulfonylmethane" means methylsulfonylmethane in its powder form only, and does not include products containing methylsulfonylmethane in other forms such as liquids, tablets, capsules not containing methylsulfonylmethane in pure powder form, ointments, creams, cosmetics, foods, and beverages.
     (2) Any person who knowingly purchases in a thirty-day period or possesses any quantity of iodine in its elemental form, an iodine matrix, or more than two pounds of methylsulfonylmethane is guilty of a gross misdemeanor, except as provided in subsection (3) of this section.
     (3) Subsection (2) of this section does not apply to:
     (a) A person who possesses iodine in its elemental form or an iodine matrix as a prescription drug, under a prescription issued by a licensed veterinarian, physician, or advanced registered nurse practitioner;
     (b) A person who possesses iodine in its elemental form, an iodine matrix, or any quantity of methylsulfonylmethane in its powder form and is actively engaged in the practice of animal husbandry of livestock;
     (c) A person who possesses iodine in its elemental form or an iodine matrix in conjunction with experiments conducted in a chemistry or chemistry-related laboratory maintained by a:
     (i) Public or private secondary school;
     (ii) Public or private institution of higher education that is accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the United States department of education;
     (iii) Manufacturing facility, government agency, or research facility in the course of lawful business activities;
     (d) A veterinarian, physician, advanced registered nurse practitioner, pharmacist, retail distributor, wholesaler, manufacturer, warehouseman, or common carrier, or an agent of any of these persons who possesses iodine in its elemental form, an iodine matrix, or methylsulfonylmethane in its powder form in the regular course of lawful business activities; or
     (e) A person working in a general hospital who possesses iodine in its elemental form or an iodine matrix in the regular course of employment at the hospital.
     (4) Any person who purchases any quantity of iodine in its elemental form, an iodine matrix, or any quantity of methylsulfonylmethane must present an identification card or driver's license issued by any state in the United States or jurisdiction of another country before purchasing the item.
     (5) The Washington state patrol shall develop a form to be used in recording transactions involving iodine in its elemental form, an iodine matrix, or methylsulfonylmethane. A person who sells or otherwise transfers any quantity of iodine in its elemental form, an iodine matrix, or any quantity of methylsulfonylmethane to a person for any purpose authorized in subsection (3) of this section must record each sale or transfer. The record must be made on the form developed by the Washington state patrol and must be retained by the person for at least three years. The Washington state patrol or any local law enforcement agency may request access to the records. Failure to make or retain a record required under this subsection is a misdemeanor. Failure to comply with a request for access to records required under this subsection to the Washington state patrol or a local law enforcement agency is a misdemeanor.