(JUNEAU) - The Alaska House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 59 on Friday. Sponsored by Rep. Jim Holm (R-Fairbanks), HB 59 sets basic standards and requirements for the cleaning and repair of former drug lab sites. Over the past four years, more than ninety methamphetamine labs have been discovered in Alaskan apartments, hotels, cabins, mobile homes, and boats.

"This is a proactive bill that works to protect unsuspecting residents and their children from the harmful chemicals left behind these illegal labs," Holm said. "Right now Alaska has no requirements or guidelines for cleaning these sites."

HB 59 requires the property owner to clean up hazardous materials when law enforcement agencies discover an illegal drug lab. Before the property can be used again, the owner must provide test results that show contamination levels below Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) limits. The DEC or a law enforcement agency will provide the property owner with the guidelines for cleaning the site and a list of laboratories that can test the site.

"The best way to ensure property owners follow the guidelines for the law is for law enforcement to offer as much information as possible," Holm said. "Then property owners have no question about what they need to do before they allow someone to use that property once again."

HB 59 moves to the Senate.

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03-28-03: Rep. Jim Holm (R-Fairbanks) explains why Alaska needs regulations that handle the clean-up of former illegal drug labs.

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Jim Holm 57 K

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