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United States · Law · S

S. 1965 (104th)

Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

17 July 1996

Last action

3 October 1996 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 104-237.

Sponsors

Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT], Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE], Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA], Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR], Sen. DeWine, Mike [R-OH], Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA], Sen. D'Amato, Alfonse [R-NY], Sen. Kyl, Jon [R-AZ], Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV], Sen. Ashcroft, John [R-MO], Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI], Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ], Sen. Daschle, Thomas A. [D-SD], Sen. Kerrey, J. Robert [D-NE], Sen. Abraham, Spencer [R-MI], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

Subjects

Healthcare, Environment, Education, Postal service

Source updated

7 April 2025

Healthcare · Environment · Education · Postal service

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor Chemicals Title II: Provisions to Control the Manufacture of Methamphetamine Title III: Increased Penalties for Trafficking and Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors Title IV: Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Precursor Chemicals Title V: Education and Research Comprehensive Methamphetamine Control Act of 1996 - Title I: Importation of Methamphetamine and Precursor Chemicals - Directs the Attorney General to coordinate international drug enforcement efforts to decrease the movement of methamphetamine and methamphetamine precursors into the United States. (Sec. 102) Amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (CSIEA) to: (1) make specified prohibitions against the possession, manufacture, or distribution for purposes of unlawful importation of a schedule I or II controlled substance applicable to a listed chemical; and (2) set penalties of a fine and ten years' imprisonment for manufacturing, possessing with intent to distribute, or distributing a listed chemical in violation of such prohibitions. Title II: Provisions to Control the Manufacture of Methamphetamine - Amends the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) to: (1) include chemicals within the scope of provisions regarding penalties for simple possession; and (2) prohibit knowingly or intentionally possessing a list I chemical obtained pursuant to or under authority of a registration that has expired or that has been revoked or suspended or if the registrant has ceased to do business in the manner contemplated by his registration. Amends the CSA and the Tariff Act of 1930 to permit the seizure and forfeiture of list I chemicals involved in illegal trafficking. (Sec. 202) Directs: (1) the Attorney General to study and report to the Congress on measures to prevent the diversion of agents used in methamphetamine production; and (2) the United States Sentencing Commission (the Commission) to amend the sentencing guidelines to ensure that the manufacture of methamphetamine in violation of the CSA is treated as a significant violation. (Sec. 203) Amends the CSA to increase penalties for the manufacture and possession of equipment used to make controlled substances. (Sec. 204) Adds iodine and hydrochloric gas to list II chemicals, but excludes iodine from specified requirements for listed chemicals under the CSIEA. (Sec. 205) Prohibits distributing a laboratory supply to a person who uses it to manufacture a controlled substance or a listed chemical in violation of the CSA with reckless disregard for the illegal uses to which such supply will be put. Imposes civil penalties upon businesses that violate such provision. (Sec. 206) Amends the CSA to enjoin anyone convicted of specified felony violations relating to the manufacture and exportation of a listed chemical from engaging in a transaction involving a listed chemical for up to ten years. (Current law covers only "receipt, distribution, or importation" of a listed chemical and bars violators from engaging in such a "regulated" transaction for that period.) Authorizes the Attorney General to commence a civil action for appropriate declaratory or injunctive relief, subject to specified requirements. (Sec. 207) Authorizes the court, when sentencing a defendant convicted of specified CSA offenses involving the manufacture of methamphetamine, to order restitution and reimbursement by the defendant for costs incurred by the United States for the associated cleanup. (Sec. 208) Modifies the CSA to require each regulated person to keep a record of each regulated transaction involving a listed chemical, a tableting machine, or an encapsulating machine for two years. Title III: Increased Penalties for Trafficking and Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Precursors - Amends the CSA and the CSIEA to increase penalties for trafficking in methamphetamine and list I chemicals. (Sec. 303) Directs the Commission to determine whether the sentencing guidelines adequately punish specified offenses relating to the handling of hazardous waste and related issues under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, and Federal transportation provisions, and, if not, to promulgate or amend existing guidelines to enhance the punishment for a defendant convicted of such offense. Title IV: Legal Manufacture, Distribution, and Sale of Precursor Chemicals - Amends the CSA to provide for the regulation of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine, subject to specified limitations. Specifies that any sale of: (1) ordinary over-the-counter pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine products by retailed distributors shall not be a regulated transaction, with exceptions; and (2) other products containing pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine by retail distributors shall not be a regulated transaction if the distributor's sales are limited to less than the threshold quantity of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine in each single transaction. Directs the Attorney General to reinstate an exemption with respect to a particular ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine drug product upon determining that such product is manufactured and distributed in a manner that prevents diversion. Authorizes the Attorney General to establish single-transaction limits of 24 grams of pseudoephedrine and phenylpropanolamine base for retail distributors, subject to specified conditions. Sets penalties for violations. (Sec. 402) Requires each regulated person who engages in a transaction with a non-regulated person which involves ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine (including drug products containing these chemicals) and which uses or attempts to use the Postal Service or any private or commercial carrier, to submit monthly reports of such transactions to the Attorney General. Title V: Education and Research - Establishes a Methamphetamine Interagency Task Force. (Sec. 502) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a public health monitoring program to monitor methamphetamine abuse in the United States. (Sec. 503) Requires the Attorney General to: (1) establish an advisory panel consisting of an appropriate number of representatives from Federal, State, and local law enforcement and regulatory agencies with experience in investigating and prosecuting illegal transactions of precursor chemicals; (2) continue specified current efforts; and (3) establish a Suspicious Orders Task Force.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 17 July 1996

    Introduced

    Introduced in the Senate and read twice and held at the desk by unanimous consent.

    Source: Floor

  2. 17 July 1996

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8015-8017, S8021-8023)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 17 July 1996

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 2 August 1996

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 566.

    Source: Calendars

  5. 17 September 1996

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S10717-10722)

    Source: Floor

  6. 17 September 1996

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  7. 18 September 1996

    Floor

    Held at the desk.

    Source: Floor

  8. 18 September 1996

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  9. 18 September 1996

    Floor

    Received in the House.

    Source: Floor

  10. 28 September 1996

    Floor

    Mr. McCollum asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.

    Source: Floor

  11. 28 September 1996

    Floor

    Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H12132-12136)

    Source: Floor

  12. 28 September 1996

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  13. 28 September 1996

    Passed

    On passage Passed without objection.

    Source: Floor

  14. 28 September 1996

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.

    Source: Floor

  15. 2 October 1996

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  16. 2 October 1996

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  17. 3 October 1996

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 104-237.

    Source: President

  18. 3 October 1996

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  19. 3 October 1996

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

12 official files

Public Law (text)

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 4 October 1996

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 4 October 1996

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN · 28 September 1996

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN · 28 September 1996

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  • Engrossed in Senate (text)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 17 September 1996

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  • Engrossed in Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed in Senate · EN · 17 September 1996

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 17 September 1996

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  • Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

    Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 2 August 1996

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  • Placed on Calendar Senate (PDF)

    Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 2 August 1996

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  • Held at Desk Senate (text)

    Held at Desk Senate · EN · 17 July 1996

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  • Held at Desk Senate (PDF)

    Held at Desk Senate · EN · 17 July 1996

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 17 July 1996

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