AB183: Bill Text

LRB-2309/1

MGD:wlj:pg

2005 - 2006 LEGISLATURE

2005 Assembly BILL 183

March 10, 2005 - Introduced by Representatives Rhoades, Lamb, Pettis, Moulton, Gronemus, Kreibich, Hubler, Krawczyk, Hahn, Hines, Van Roy, Travis, Gunderson, Townsend, Ott, Hundertmark, Musser, Albers and Freese, cosponsored by Senators Harsdorf, Brown, Roessler, Jauch, Decker, Kapanke, Zien, Lassa, A. Lasee, Olsen and Stepp. Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice and Homeland Security.

AB183,1,12 An Act to renumber 961.437 (2) and 961.49; to renumber and amend 961.437 (3), 961.437 (4), 961.437 (5) and 961.46; to amend 101.10 (title), 101.10 (3) (e), 895.555 (title), 895.555 (1), 938.34 (14s) (am) (intro.), 939.62 (2m) (a) 2m. d., 939.62 (2m) (d), 948.015 (6), 961.23 (4), 961.23 (5), 961.41 (1r), 961.437 (title), 961.49 (title) and 973.01 (2) (c) 2. a.; and to create 101.10 (3) (f), 111.335 (1) (cs) 5., 125.12 (2) (ag) 5m., 125.12 (2) (ag) 6m., 125.12 (4) (ag) 7m., 125.12 (4) (ag) 8m., 939.32 (1) (g), 939.62 (2m) (a) 2m. am., 961.01 (14f), 961.22 (3) (b), 961.23 (7), 961.437 (1) (title), 961.437 (2m), 961.437 (3m) (title), 961.46 (2), 961.49 (2m), 973.017 (8) (a) 3. and 973.017 (8) (c) of the statutes; relating to: pseudoephedrine hydrochloride and other materials used to produce methamphetamine, the distribution of methamphetamine to minors, and providing penalties.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

This bill makes a number of changes in the law relating to the controlled substance methamphetamine and materials used to make it.

Classification of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride as a controlled substance

Under current law, each controlled substance is classified in one of five separate schedules. The classification is based on: 1) whether there is a currently accepted medical use for the drug; 2) the drug's potential for being abused; and 3) the nature of the psychological or physical dependence that of the drug use may produce. Schedule I controlled substances are those that have a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical use. Schedule V controlled substances are those that have an accepted medical use and that have a lower potential for abuse and produce less dependence when compared with other controlled substances. (Methamphetamine is included in Schedule II.)

In general, a Schedule I controlled substance may not be dispensed, even with a prescription. A Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substance may be dispensed with a prescription. A Schedule V controlled substance may be dispensed without a prescription, but only a registered pharmacist may sell it at retail and only then in certain specified amounts. In addition, the pharmacist must record the name and address of the purchaser of a Schedule V controlled substance and the quantity of the product sold. Penalties for crimes relating to Schedule I and II controlled substances are, in general, more severe than those relating to other controlled substances. Penalties for crimes relating to Schedule V controlled substances are generally the least severe. To illustrate, unlawful delivery of heroin (a Schedule I controlled substance) is a Class C, D, E, or F felony, depending on the amount of the drug involved, while unlawful delivery of any Schedule V controlled substance is a Class I felony, regardless of the amount involved.

This bill classifies pseudoephedrine hydrochloride as a Schedule V controlled substance. The bill also prohibits a person from purchasing more than nine grams of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride within a 30-day period and requires the purchaser to provide the pharmacist selling it with a photo ID. But the classification and the resulting restrictions on sale do not apply if: 1) the pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is in a product that contains therapeutically significant quantities of another active medicinal ingredient; 2) the pseudoephedrine hydrochloride is in a liquid or a soft gelatin capsule; or 3) the Controlled Substances Board has determined that the pseudoephedrine hydrochloride involved cannot be used readily in the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Possession of methamphetamine precursors

Current law generally prohibits possessing or disposing of waste resulting from the manufacture of methamphetamine. This prohibition does not apply to legitimate storage, treatment, or clean-up operations. A violation of this prohibition is a Class F felony. Second and subsequent offenses are Class H felonies.

Current law also prohibits possessing or attempting to possess methamphetamine itself. A violation of that prohibition is a Class I felony. In addition, current law prohibits manufacturing, distributing, and delivering methamphetamine and possessing methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, distribute, or deliver. A violation of one of these prohibitions is a Class C, D, E, or F felony, depending on the amount of the drug involved.

This bill prohibits possessing a variety of materials with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class H felony. (See the table near the end of this analysis for the penalties that apply to felonies created in this bill.) The materials that are covered by this prohibition are pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, ephedrine (a Schedule IV controlled substance), phenylpropanolamine, red phosphorus, lithium metal, sodium metal, iodine, anhydrous ammonia, pressurized ammonia, and liquid nitrogen. Possession of more than 24 grams of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, ephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine can be used to prove the person's intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

In general, a person who is convicted of possessing the materials listed above with intent to manufacture methamphetamine is subject to the same disqualifications, disabilities, increased penalties, and other adverse or unfavorable treatments as a person who is convicted of possessing a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, distribute, or deliver ("possession with intent" crimes). For example, like possession with intent crimes, this new offense is classified as a "three-strikes" crime, which means that a person who is convicted of this crime and two other offenses that are covered by the relevant statute is sentenced, upon conviction for the last of those three offenses, to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or extended supervision.

Agricultural chemicals used to make methamphetamine

Current law prohibits the theft of anhydrous ammonia or equipment used to apply it for an agricultural purpose or to store, hold, transport, or transfer it (anhydrous ammonia equipment). Current law also contains other prohibitions regarding storing, holding, transporting, and transferring anhydrous ammonia. A person who violates one of these prohibitions is guilty of a Class I felony (unless the violation occurs during agricultural activity or while the person is working on anhydrous ammonia equipment with its owner's consent, in which case the person is subject to a civil monetary penalty).

This bill prohibits a person from intentionally releasing another person's anhydrous ammonia without the other person's consent. A person who violates this prohibition is guilty of a Class I felony. The bill also makes the statute relating to theft of anhydrous ammonia or anhydrous ammonia equipment applicable to liquid nitrogen and specifies that attempted theft under that statute is subject to the same penalties as those that apply to the completed offense. (Most other attempts are punishable by half of the fine and half of the term of imprisonment that may be imposed for a completed offense.)

Distributing methamphetamine to minors

Under current law, if a person distributes or delivers a controlled substance to someone who is under the age of 18 and who is at least three years younger than he or she is, the applicable maximum term of imprisonment for the crime is increased by five years. Under this bill, if a person distributes or delivers methamphetamine to someone who is under the age of 18 and who is at least two years younger than he or she is, the person is guilty of a Class B felony.

Penalties - See PDF for table

Other information

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime, the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to result if the bill is enacted.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

AB183, s. 1 Section 1. 101.10 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB183,4,3 101.10 (title) Storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia; theft of liquid nitrogen, anhydrous ammonia, and anhydrous ammonia equipment.

AB183, s. 2 Section 2. 101.10 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB183,4,9 101.10 (3) (e) Intentionally take, carry away, use, conceal, or retain possession of liquid nitrogen, anhydrous ammonia belonging to another, or anhydrous ammonia equipment belonging to another, without the other's consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of the liquid nitrogen, anhydrous ammonia, or anhydrous ammonia equipment.

AB183, s. 3 Section 3. 101.10 (3) (f) of the statutes is created to read:

AB183,4,14 101.10 (3) (f) Intentionally release or allow the escape of anhydrous ammonia belonging to another into the atmosphere. This paragraph does not apply if the owner has authorized the actor to exercise control over the anhydrous ammonia or has consented to its release.

AB183, s. 4 Section 4. 111.335 (1) (cs) 5. of the statutes is created to read:

AB183,5,4 111.335 (1) (cs) 5. Possessing any of the materials listed in s. 961.437 (2m) with intent to manufacture methamphetamine under that subsection or under a federal law or a law of another state that is substantially similar to s. 961.437 (2m).

AB183, s. 5 Section 5. 125.12 (2) (ag) 5m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB183,5,9 125.12 (2) (ag) 5m. The person has been convicted of possessing any of the materials listed in s. 961.437 (2m) with intent to manufacture methamphetamine under that subsection or under a federal law or a law of another state that is substantially similar to s. 961.437 (2m).

AB183, s. 6 Section 6. 125.12 (2) (ag) 6m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB183,5,14 125.12 (2) (ag) 6m. The person knowingly allows another person, who is on the premises for which the license under this chapter is issued, to possess any of the materials listed in s. 961.437 (2m) with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

AB183, s. 7 Section 7. 125.12 (4) (ag) 7m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB183,5,19 125.12 (4) (ag) 7m. That the licensee has been convicted of possessing any of the materials listed in s. 961.437 (2m) with intent to manufacture methamphetamine under that subsection or under a federal law or a law of another state that is substantially similar to s. 961.437 (2m).

AB183, s. 8 Section 8. 125.12 (4) (ag) 8m. of the statutes is created to read:

AB183,5,24 125.12 (4) (ag) 8m. That the licensee knowingly allows another person, who is on the premises for which the license under this chapter is issued, to possess any of the materials listed in s. 961.437 (2m) with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

AB183, s. 9 Section 9. 895.555 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB183,6,2 895.555 (title) Liability exemption; anhydrous ammonia and liquid nitrogen.

AB183, s. 10 Section 10. 895.555 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB183,6,10 895.555 (1) Liability exemption. Except as provided under sub. (2), any person who owns, maintains, or installs anhydrous ammonia equipment, as defined in s. 101.10 (1) (b), or who uses anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen for any legal purpose is immune from any civil liability for acts or omissions relating to the anhydrous ammonia equipment or to anhydrous ammonia or liquid nitrogen that cause damage or injury to an individual, if that damage or injury occurs during the individual's violation of s. 101.10 (3) (c), (d), or (e), or (f).

AB183, s. 11 Section 11. 938.34 (14s) (am) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB183,6,14 938.34 (14s) (am) (intro.) In addition to any other dispositions imposed under this section, if the juvenile is found to have violated s. 961.41 (1) or (1m) or 961.437 (2m), the court shall order one of the following penalties:

AB183, s. 12 Section 12. 939.32 (1) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

AB183,6,17 939.32 (1) (g) Whoever attempts to commit a crime under s. 101.10 (3) (e) is subject to the penalty for the completed act, as provided in s. 101.10 (4) (b).

AB183, s. 13 Section 13. 939.62 (2m) (a) 2m. am. of the statutes is created to read:

AB183,6,19 939.62 (2m) (a) 2m. am. A crime under s. 961.437 (2m).