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House passes meth cleanup bill Thursday, Feb 8, 2007 By Fred Love Stephens Washington Bureau WASHINGTON -- The House of Representatives on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that sets national standards to guide states and local authorities in cleaning up methamphetamine labs sites. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency, along with the National Institute of Standards and Technology, to establish guidelines for decontamination of meth labs, which can contain toxic and explosive chemicals, and are sometimes located in homes. The guidelines are voluntary, but sponsors said the effort will provide local officials with valuable direction. "Right now, there are millions of families living in what were once illegal meth labs," said Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., who sponsored the bill. Gordon said inadequate disposal of meth labs can threaten the health of people living in the surrounding area, as well as the environment. The bill authorizes $5 million over the next two years for the government agencies to establish the cleanup guidelines. Similar legislation passed in the House and Senate last year but died in conference committee before reaching the president's desk. It became one of the first pieces of legislation to move in the new Congress. Rep. Marion Berry, D-Gillett, a co-sponsor, said the measure will help Arkansas law enforcement ensure that meth labs are properly decontaminated. "This legislation has the potential to help protect countless lives by developing better detection methods and educating property owners about the dangers from long term exposure to the chemicals used to produce methamphetamine," Arkansas State Police Col. Steve Dozier said in a statement released by Berry's office. The House passed the bill 426-2. Some Arkansas legislators are drafting a bill to establish statewide cleanup procedures. That bill could be completed in a matter of weeks, said Sen. Shane Broadway, D-Bryant, but he said he would welcome federal input. Broadway said that while some states have explored the issue, the federal government needs to take the lead. "Cleanup is an important issue that has to be addressed nationwide," he said. "States have taken initial steps individually, but I'm glad to see Congress taking action." Also Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously approved a bill that would grant American Indian tribes access to federal grants to combat methamphetamine use. Sponsors said tribes inadvertently were left out of anti-meth legislation that passed Congress last year. The new measure would allow tribal governments to apply for the Hot Spots program, which helps law enforcement fight meth, and the Drug-Endangered Children Grant Program, which assists children from homes in which meth has been used. Rep. Robert Scott, D-Va., apologized for the original oversight. "We hope to fix it as soon as we can," Scott said. |
