Meth Legislation: Senate and Representatives Track Sheet

S. 103 – Senator Talent (R-MO) introduced on January 24, 2005 the “Combat Meth Act of 2005,” a bill to respond to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamine in the United States, and for other purposes. Among many things, the bill would have SAMHSA establish a methamphetamine research, training, and technical assistance center “in consultation with the Director of the National Institutes of Health” The bill was passed by the Senate on September 9, 2005, in the form of an amendment to the Commerce, Justice, Science FY 2006 appropriation bill (HR 2662). Subsequent legislative action saw the bill attached to the USA Patriot Act, an effort to get it passed late in the session. Ultimately, the language was removed from the conference report on the Patriot Act. Floor action is expected early in 2006. Related Bills: See H.R. 314, H.R. 3889.

H.R. 314 – Representative Blunt (R-MO) introduced on January 25, 2005 the “Combat Meth Act of 2005,” a bill to respond to the illegal production, distribution, and use of methamphetamine in the United States, and for other purposes. In part the bill would authorize funds to provide training to State and local prosecutors and law enforcement agents for the investigation and prosecution of methamphetamine offenses. Committees: Judiciary, Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security; Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health. Related Bills: See S. 103, H.R. 3889.

S. 259 – Senator Johnson (D-SD) introduced on February 2, 2005 a bill to require that federal forfeiture funds be used, in part, to clean up methamphetamine laboratories. Committee: Judiciary.

H.R. 798 – Representative Gordon (D-TN) introduced on February 16, 2005 the “Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005,” a bill to provide for a research program for remediation of closed methamphetamine production laboratories, and for other purposes. Committee: Science, Subcommittee on Environment, Technology, and Standards. Status: passed by the House.

H.R. 1055 – Representative Hooley (D-OR) introduced on March 2, 2005 the “Comprehensive Methamphetamine Response Act,” a bill to provide for the designation and funding of high intensity methamphetamine abuse and trafficking areas. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Judiciary.

H.R. 1056 – Representative Hooley (D-OR) introduced on March 2, 2005 the “Methamphetamine Precursor Control Act of 2005,” a bill to amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to the distribution of pseudoephedrine. Section 7 of the bill would authorize funding for NIH to conduct research on medical alternatives to pseudoephedrine. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Judiciary.

H.R. 1350 – Representative Peterson (D-MN) introduced on March 16, 2005 the “Methamphetamine Blister Pack Loophole Elimination Act of 2005,” a bill to eliminate the safe-harbor exception for certain packaged pseudoephedrine products used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Judiciary. Related Bills: See H.R. 1446.

H.R. 1446 – Representative Souder (R-IN) introduced on March 17, 2005 the “Methamphetamine Abuse Prevention Act of 2005,” a bill to eliminate the safe-harbor exception for certain packaged pseudoephedrine products used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, Committees: Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Health; Judiciary. Related Bills: See H.R.1350.

S. 884 – Senator Cantwell (D-WA) introduced on April 25, 2005 the “Methamphetamine and Identity Theft Study Act of 2005,” instructing the Attorney General to conduct a study evaluating whether there is a connection between the commission of crimes involving methamphetamine and the commission of identity theft crimes. Committee: Judiciary.

H.R. 3889 – On September 22, 2005, Representative Mark Souder introduced H.R. 3889, the “Methamphetamine Epidemic Elimination Act,” to further regulate and punish illicit conduct relating to methamphetamine, and for other purposes. Status: passed by the House. Related bill and legislative action: see S. 103, H.R. 314.

H.R. 3955 – On September 29, 2005, Representative Steve King (R-IA) introduced the “Meth Lab Eradication Act,” to amend the Controlled Substances Act to provide for the transfer of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and phenylpropanolamine to schedule V of the schedules of controlled substances, and for other purposes. Committees: Energy and Commerce; Judiciary.

S. 2046 – On November 17, 2005, Senator Mike DeWine (R-OH) introduced S. 2046, the National Methamphetamine Information Clearinghouse Act of 2005, to establish a National Methamphetamine Information Clearinghouse to promote sharing information regarding successful law enforcement, treatment, environmental, social services, and other programs related to the production, use, or effects of methamphetamine and grants available for such programs, and for other purposes. Committee: Judiciary.

November 17, 2005 - The House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Education Reform conducted a hearing on “Combating Methamphetamines through Prevention and Education.” Subcommittee Chairman Michael Castle (R-DE) provided an opening statement before Subcommittee Member Tom Osborne (R-NE) took the chair at the hearing. Among the witnesses providing testimony was NIDA grantee Richard Spoth, Ph.D., Director, Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute at Iowa State University.

January 23, 2006 - To address the dangers methamphetamine abuse and addiction exact on our nation’s communities and families, Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN), Conrad Burns (R-MT), Max Baucus (D-MT), Mark Pryor (D-AR), and Chuck Hagel (R-NE) hosted a National Town Hall on Methamphetamine Awareness and Prevention. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Drug Czar John Walters of the Office of National Drug Control Policy made opening remarks and during the three panel sessions during the town hall, the Senators were joined by state and national panelists. NIDA Director Dr. Nora Volkow was on one panel, and made remarks and responded to questions from the Senators and members of the public. According to the Senate sponsors, the event was assembled as a national forum in which to understand the use and widespread impact of the drug, as well as seek ways to inform the public, deter use, and examine possible legislative initiatives to further combat meth.

Information Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse