SENATE HALTS MEASURE TO CURB METH PRODUCTION

DES MOINES - The Iowa Senate rejected an Iowa House plan Thursday to curb
methamphetamine production, a move that will lead to the convening of a
special panel to settle differences b etween the two chambers.

Legislative leaders said the plan that will arise from the panel will
almost certainly be the strongest in the country, limiting the sale of the
cold remedy pseudoephedrine, which is an ingredient used to produce meth.

"We're willing to continue working with the House, with law enforcement,
with the governor's office, with all of the groups, to get a better bill,
to finalize this bill and better protect Iowans," said Sen. Keith Kreiman,
D-Bloomfield, who helped write the Senate version.

The Senate version, passed unanimously last month, says that every product
containing more than 360 milligrams of pseudoephedrine can be sold only by
a pharmacist.

Buyers would be required to show identification and sign a logbook. They
would be limited to buying 6,000 milligrams of the drug in 30 days, unless
they have a prescription.

Products with less than 360 milligrams, which includes many small packages
of cold tablets, could be sold by regular retailers, but must be kept
behind the counter in a locked cabinet.

The House version, passed unanimously on Wednesday, has two major
differences: It allows only pharmacists to sell the drug and has a higher
monthly limit, 7,500 milligrams.

A joint House-Senate panel, called a conference committee, will meet over
the next few weeks to bridge the differences.

House Minority Leader Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, said he fears the bill will be
weakened in committee because Republican leaders will name committee
members who will undermine the measure.

House Speaker Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, said he hasn't yet decided
which House Republicans will serve on the panel.

House Majority Leader Chuck Gipp, R-Decorah, and Senate Democratic Leader
Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs both said they expect the committee to
produce a strong bill that significantly limits meth production.