HBA-SEP H.B. 238 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 238 By: Keffer Criminal Jurisprudence 4/20/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law does not provide a penalty for knowingly possessing, with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, a substantial number of the components necessary to manufacture methamphetamine or a substance commonly used or produced primarily for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Unfortunately, the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine is a serious problem throughout the state. House Bill 238 provides that such a possession is a third degree felony. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 238 amends the Health and Safety Code to provide that it is a third degree felony for a person, with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, to knowingly possess a substantial number of the components necessary to manufacture methamphetamine or a substance commonly used or produced primarily for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The bill also modifies the definition of "manufacture" to include the preparation for production, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of a controlled substance other than marihuana. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.