"An act relating to the evaluation and cleanup of sites where certain controlled substances may have been manufactured or stored, and providing for an effective date."

Alaska currently does not have basic standards for the cleanup of illegal drug labs. House Bill 59 will set standards and basic requirements for the cleanup of those sites to guarantee the safety of future residents.

Over the past four years, over ninety methamphetamine labs were discovered in Alaska. These labs were found in apartments, hotels, cabins, mobile homes, and even on boats. If left untreated, chemicals from "cooking meth" can be extremely hazardous and pose a serious threat for future residents, particularly children.

House Bill 59 will require that once law enforcement agencies discover an illegal lab, the property owner will be responsible to clean up the hazardous materials. A complete cleanup of the site will be needed before the structure can again be utilized. In order to demonstrate the property fit for habitation, the owner must provide test results showing the levels of contamination below Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) limits.

House Bill 59 stipulates that the DEC or a law enforcement entity will provide information to the owner on required testing procedures and guidelines for cleanup. Additionally, a list of laboratories that may be used for determining whether the property is fit for use will be provided to the property owner.

House Bill 59 also stipulates full disclose to future buyers if the property was used as an illegal drug site and was not properly cleaned to DEC standards.

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