Current law provides penalties for the possession, manufacture, delivery and
distribution of methamphetamine, a dangerous drug. This bill changes those
penalties as follows:

Currently, a person who is convicted of possession of methamphetamine may
be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year in a county
jail or both. Under the bill, a person who is convicted of possession of
methamphetamine may be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned for not more
than two years in state prison or both.

Under current law, the penalties for manufacture, delivery or distribution of
methamphetamine and for possession of methamphetamine with intent to

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manufacture, deliver or distribute depend on the amount of the drug involved in the
offense and the date of the offense. In addition to prescribing a maximum penalty
for these offenses, current law provides in some cases for a minimum fine or a
minimum period of imprisonment or both. These are presumptive minimum
sentences. A judge may decide to impose no fine or imprisonment or a fine or period
of imprisonment that is less than the specified minimum if he or she finds that the
best interests of the community will be served and the public will not be harmed by
doing so.

The current penalties and the changes made by the bill are as follows:

1. If the offense involves three grams or less of methamphetamine and the
offense occurs before December 31, 1999, the person must currently be fined not less
than $1,000 nor more than $200,000 and may be imprisoned for not more than five
years. If the offense occurs on or after December 31, 1999, the maximum
imprisonment provided under current law is seven years and six months. The bill
increases the maximum imprisonment for this offense to 22 years and six months,
regardless of the date on which the offense occurs. The bill does not change the
minimum and maximum fines for the offense.

2. If the offense involves more than three grams but not more than ten grams
of methamphetamine and the offense occurs before December 31, 1999, the person
must currently be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $250,000 and must be
imprisoned for not less than six months nor more than five years. If the offense
occurs on or after December 31, 1999, the maximum imprisonment provided under
current law is seven years and six months. The bill increases the maximum
imprisonment for this offense to 22 years and six months, regardless of the date on
which the offense occurs. The bill does not change the minimum period of
imprisonment or the minimum and maximum fines for the offense.

3. If the offense involves more than ten grams but not more than 50 grams of
methamphetamine and the offense occurs before December 31, 1999, the person
must currently be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $500,000 and must be
imprisoned for not less than one year nor more than 15 years. If the offense occurs
on or after December 31, 1999, the maximum imprisonment provided under current
law is 22 years and six months. The bill provides that the maximum imprisonment
for this offense is 22 years and six months, regardless of the date on which the offense
occurs. The bill does not change the minimum period of imprisonment or the
minimum and maximum fines for the offense.

4. If the offense involves more than 50 grams but not more than 200 grams of
methamphetamine and the offense occurs before December 31, 1999, the person
must currently be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $500,000 and must be
imprisoned for not less than three years nor more than 15 years. If the offense occurs
on or after December 31, 1999, the maximum imprisonment provided under current
law is 22 years and six months. The bill provides that the maximum imprisonment
for this offense is 22 years and six months, regardless of the date on which the offense
occurs. The bill does not change the minimum period of imprisonment or the
minimum and maximum fines for the offense.

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5. If the offense involves more than 200 grams but not more than 400 grams
of methamphetamine and the offense occurs before December 31, 1999, the person
must currently be fined not less than $1,000 nor more than $500,000 and must be
imprisoned for not less than five years nor more than 15 years. If the offense occurs
on or after December 31, 1999, the maximum imprisonment provided under current
law is 22 years and six months. The bill provides that the maximum imprisonment
for this offense is 22 years and six months, regardless of the date on which the offense
occurs. The bill does not change the minimum period of imprisonment or the
minimum and maximum fines for the offense.

6. If the offense involves more than 400 grams of methamphetamine and the
offense occurs before December 31, 1999, the person must currently be fined not less
than $1,000 nor more than $1,000,000 and must be imprisoned for not less than ten
years nor more than 30 years. If the offense occurs on or after December 31, 1999,
the maximum imprisonment provided under current law is 45 years. The bill
provides that the maximum imprisonment for this offense is 45 years, regardless of
the date on which the offense occurs. The bill does not change the minimum period
of imprisonment or the minimum and maximum fines for the offense.