Meth-vehicle bill merits OK

• Published February 27, 2008

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Buying a used vehicle comes with certain risks. But what if that sedan, pickup truck or van you purchased was used by the previous owner to illegally manufacture methamphetamine? What if the vehicle is so contaminated with toxic meth chemicals that the health of family members is seriously jeopardized?

Mobile meth labs are a relatively new phenomenon, but they are a significant health risk to vehicle purchasers.

Rep. Tom Campbell, R-Roy, chair of the House Select Committee on Environmental Health, wrote a bill to help protect vehicle purchasers by spelling out procedures for the decontamination or demolition of mobile meth labs.

Campbell said, "Mobile meth lab vehicles pose a significant environmental hazard because the manufacture of meth generates ... toxic chemicals ... — about six pounds of toxic waste for every pound of the illegal drugs produced. When they're done with the vehicle, they often show up on car lots or in advertisements to sell with no indication of the illegal and toxic past. These vehicles have toxic waste that is harmful to human beings, especially young children, and you may never know the vehicle is contaminated until it makes you sick."

As Campbell notes, there is no process in Washington to require either the decontamination or demolition of those toxic vehicles. Under Campbell's legislation, House Bill 2817, it is illegal to advertise for sale or to sell a vehicle contaminated with methamphetamine chemicals. The Department of Licensing would place notification on the title of such vehicles that it has been declared unfit.

As passed 94-0 by the House, HB 2817:

• Provides for decontamination, demolition, or disposal of vehicles or vessels contaminated with methamphetamine and assigns responsibility.

• Makes it a gross misdemeanor to advertise for sale or to sell a vehicle or vessel contaminated with methamphetamine chemicals.

• Requires the Department of Licensing to place a notice on the title of any contaminated vehicle or vessel. A notice would be placed on the title after the vehicle has been decontaminated and is released for reuse.

• Provides that tow operators must only remove a vehicle to a secure public facility and are not required to store or dispose of a methamphetamine-contaminated vehicle.

"Under my bill, the property owner is responsible for the cost of the property's demolition, disposal or decontamination, as well as all costs incurred by the local health officer or the local law enforcement agency," Campbell said. "The decontamination must be done by an authorized contractor, if it is to be done."

Campbell's bill went through several rewrites as it moved through the House. For example, Stu Halsan, a lobbyist for tow truck drivers, raised several concerns about the legislation in the environmental health committee, but by the time the bill got to transportation, Halsan testified support.

This is a well-worked public safety measure that merits careful consideration and action in the state Senate.