HCS SB 192 -- HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

SPONSOR:  Engler (Robinson)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Conservation and Natural Resources by a vote of 13 to 0.

Currently, law enforcement officers who seize hazardous materials
as evidence are allowed to collect representative samples and
destroy or dispose of the materials with court approval.  This
substitute authorizes law enforcement officials to dispose of
hazardous materials upon the proper documentation without court
approval.  In any prosecution, representative samples of
hazardous materials accompanied by photos, video tapes, lab
reports, or other means are admissible and deemed competent
evidence to verify the identity and quantity of the material
because of the danger posed by exposure to the hazardous
materials.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill helps to prosecute drug
cases by allowing the introduction of hazardous material samples
in court.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Engler; and Office of the
Attorney General.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Kristina Jenkins, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:21 pm