Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/27/2017 01:30 PM Senate JUDICIARY
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB69 | |
| HB24 | |
| SB15 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | SB 69 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 24 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | SB 15 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HB 24-LIST U-47700 AS A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
1:54:17 PM
CHAIR COGHILL announced the consideration of HB 24 and solicited
a motion to adopt the proposed Senate committee substitute (CS).
1:54:36 PM
SENATOR COSTELLO moved to adopt the Senate CS for CS for HB 24,
version 30-LS0260\J, as the working document.
CHAIR COGHILL objected for an explanation and the introduction
of the bill.
1:55:29 PM
REPRESENTATIVE CHARISSE MILLETT, sponsor of HB 24, said she
understands that the new CS adds language to add tramadol to the
list of schedule IVA controlled substances. This was recommended
in the report from the Controlled Substance Advisory Committee
(CSAC) that directed including U-47700 in the schedule I
category. This aligns the intent of the CSAC recommendations and
the intent of the legislature in establishing the CSAC.
She continued to introduce HB 24 speaking to the following
sponsor statement:
U-47700, also known by the street name "Pink" is a
synthetic opioid responsible for the overdose deaths
of at least 46 people nationwide since 2015. The
Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
reports the drug is linked to three deaths here in
Alaska. U-47700 can come in either powder form or
tablets and is abused in the same manner as heroin and
prescription opioids.
The US Drug Enforcement Division decided late last
year that the substance was so dangerous it posed an
immediate threat to public safety and classified U-
47700 as a schedule 1 substance, a category of drugs
that have no accepted medical use and pose an
extremely high risk of abuse. Examples of other
schedule 1 drugs include heroin and LSD. The DEA
believes the drug is manufactured in illegal
laboratories overseas, meaning its purity and quality
are unknown and extremely dangerous to anyone that
decides to use it. Samples of U-47700 have been found
to be up to 800 percent more potent than heroin.
House Bill 24 lists U-47700 as a schedule 1 controlled
substance in Alaska statutes (AS 11.71.140(c)). This
will be an important tool for Alaska law enforcement
officers and prosecutors to arrest and prosecute
individuals using or distributing this dangerous drug
and protect Alaskans from the latest form of highly
addictive and potentially fatal synthetic heroin.
CHAIR COGHILL advised that in Section 2 starting on page 4, line
31, the Senate CS adds a new subsection that includes tramadol
in the list of schedule IVA controlled substances. He noted that
Senator Meyer introduced a similar bill but it's not as far
along in the process. He asked Senator Meyer if he supports this
version of HB 24 or if additions are needed.
1:58:40 PM
SENATOR MEYER said version J aligns with the Senate bill the
committee heard. He asked the sponsor why she didn't include
tramadol in the initial version of HB 24.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT said some House members were hesitant to
put tramadol on the schedule of controlled substances because it
is so highly prescribed as a pain medication. After she and her
staff had additional conversations with House members about over
prescribing and the dangers of tramadol, there seems to be a
greater level of comfort having it on the schedule.
CHAIR COGHILL asked if she agrees with the Senate CS.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT answered yes.
2:00:06 PM
CHAIR COGHILL removed his objection and version J was adopted.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if the broad language in Section 2
could unintentionally sweep in other legal substances that
contain trace amounts of the chemical compounds mentioned.
REPRESENTATIVE MILLETT explained that the language is intended
to encompass any molecular formula changes within Pink or
tramadol.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI asked if legislative legal counsel was
available.
CHAIR COGHILL asked Mr. Foster from the Crime Lab to address the
question.
2:01:44 PM
CHARLES FOSTER, Forensic Scientist and Chemistry Supervisor,
State Crime Laboratory, Department of Public Safety, Anchorage,
Alaska, advised that that wording is fairly like what the Drug
Enforcement Agency uses. He said his interpretation is that it
only covers tramadol, not other analogs.
SENATOR WIELECHOWSKI said he wants to be certain that the
language doesn't make an otherwise legal substance illegal. He
read the language in subsection (g) on page 5 and asked if he is
aware of any legal substances that might contain trace amounts
of the substance mentioned.
MR. FOSTER answered no; that language is used in a lot of the
legal wording of controlled substances. It is addressing the
same chemical in its different forms. "It's addressing tramadol
only in this case. It's not going to be addressing some other
chemical that is currently not tramadol," he said.
CHAIR COGHILL found no further questions and asked the will of
the committee.
2:04:02 PM
SENATOR MEYER stated support for moving the bill.
SENATOR COSTELLO moved to report the SCS for CSHB 24, version
30-LS0260\J, from committee with individual recommendations and
attached fiscal note(s).
CHAIR COGHILL announced that without objection, SCS CSHB 24(JUD)
is reported from the Senate Judiciary Standing Committee.