Assembly Bill No. 454–Assemblyman Perkins

March 10, 1999

____________

Referred to Committee on Judiciary

 

SUMMARY—Makes various changes concerning controlled substances. (BDR 40-581)

FISCAL NOTE: Effect on Local Government: No.

Effect on the State or on Industrial Insurance: Yes.

~

EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

 

AN ACT relating to controlled substances; revising the penalties for manufacturing or compounding certain controlled substances; authorizing peace officers to destroy materials or substances that they reasonably believe are hazardous waste at the time of seizure of certain substances; and providing other matters properly relating thereto.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

1-1 Section 1. Chapter 453 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a

1-2 new section to read as follows:

1-3 1. Except as authorized by the provisions of NRS 453.011 to 453.552,

1-4 inclusive, it is unlawful for a person to:

1-5 (a) Manufacture or compound a controlled substance other than

1-6 marihuana;

1-7 (b) Possess a majority of the ingredients required to manufacture or

1-8 compound a controlled substance other than marihuana, unless he is at

1-9 a laboratory that is licensed to store such ingredients; or

1-10 (c) Offer or attempt to do any act set forth in paragraph (a) or (b).

1-11 2. Unless a greater penalty is provided in NRS 453.3385 or 453.3395,

1-12 a person who violates the provisions of subsection 1 is guilty of a

1-13 category B felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state

1-14 prison for a minimum term of not less than 3 years and a maximum term

1-15 of not more than 15 years, and may be further punished by a fine of not

1-16 more than $100,000.

1-17 3. The court shall not grant probation to a person convicted pursuant

1-18 to this section.

2-1 Sec. 2. NRS 453.146 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-2 453.146 1. The board shall administer the provisions of NRS

2-3 453.011 to 453.552, inclusive, and section 1 of this act and may add

2-4 substances to or delete or reschedule all substances enumerated in

2-5 schedules I, II, III, IV and V by regulation.

2-6 2. In making a determination regarding a substance, the board shall

2-7 consider the following:

2-8 (a) The actual or relative potential for abuse;

2-9 (b) The scientific evidence of its pharmacological effect, if known;

2-10 (c) The state of current scientific knowledge regarding the substance;

2-11 (d) The history and current pattern of abuse;

2-12 (e) The scope, duration and significance of abuse;

2-13 (f) The risk to the public health;

2-14 (g) The potential of the substance to produce psychic or physiological

2-15 dependence liability; and

2-16 (h) Whether the substance is an immediate precursor of a controlled

2-17 substance.

2-18 3. The board may consider findings of the federal Food and Drug

2-19 Administration or the Drug Enforcement Administration as prima facie

2-20 evidence relating to one or more of the determinative factors.

2-21 4. After considering the factors enumerated in subsection 2 the board

2-22 shall make findings with respect thereto and adopt a regulation controlling

2-23 the substance if it finds the substance has a potential for abuse.

2-24 5. The board shall designate as a controlled substance a steroid or other

2-25 product which is used to enhance athletic performance, muscle mass,

2-26 strength or weight without medical necessity. The board may not designate

2-27 as a controlled substance an anabolic steroid which is:

2-28 (a) Expressly intended to be administered through an implant to cattle,

2-29 poultry or other animals; and

2-30 (b) Approved by the Food and Drug Administration for such use.

2-31 Sec. 3. NRS 453.321 is hereby amended to read as follows:

2-32 453.321 1. Except as authorized by the provisions of NRS 453.011

2-33 to 453.552, inclusive, it is unlawful for a person to [import, transport,

2-34 manufacture, compound,] :

2-35 (a) Import, transport, sell, exchange, barter, supply, prescribe, dispense,

2-36 give away or administer a controlled or counterfeit substance ;

2-37 (b) Manufacture or compound a counterfeit substance; or [to offer]

2-38 (c) Offer or attempt to do any [such act.] act set forth in paragraph (a)

2-39 or (b).

2-40 2. Unless a greater penalty is provided in NRS 453.333 or 453.334, if a

2-41 person violates subsection 1 and the controlled substance is classified in

2-42 schedule I or II, he is guilty of a category B felony and shall be punished:

3-1 (a) For the first offense, by imprisonment in the state prison for a

3-2 minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum term of not more

3-3 than 6 years, and may be further punished by a fine of not more than

3-4 $20,000.

3-5 (b) For a second offense, or if, in the case of a first conviction under this

3-6 subsection, the offender has previously been convicted of an offense under

3-7 this section or of any offense under the laws of the United States or any

3-8 state, territory or district which, if committed in this state, would amount to

3-9 an offense under this section, by imprisonment in the state prison for a

3-10 minimum term of not less than 2 years and a maximum term of not more

3-11 than 10 years, and may be further punished by a fine of not more than

3-12 $20,000.

3-13 (c) For a third or subsequent offense, or if the offender has previously

3-14 been convicted two or more times under this section or of any offense

3-15 under the laws of the United States or any state, territory or district which,

3-16 if committed in this state, would amount to an offense under this section, by

3-17 imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 3

3-18 years and a maximum term of not more than 15 years, and may be further

3-19 punished by a fine of not more than $20,000 for each offense.

3-20 3. The court shall not grant probation to or suspend the sentence of a

3-21 person convicted under subsection 2 and punishable pursuant to paragraph

3-22 (b) or (c) of subsection 2.

3-23 4. Unless a greater penalty is provided in NRS 453.333 or 453.334, if a

3-24 person violates subsection 1, and the controlled substance is classified in

3-25 schedule III, IV or V, he shall be punished:

3-26 (a) For the first offense, for a category C felony as provided in NRS

3-27 193.130.

3-28 (b) For a second offense, or if, in the case of a first conviction of

3-29 violating this subsection, the offender has previously been convicted of

3-30 violating this section or of any offense under the laws of the United States

3-31 or any state, territory or district which, if committed in this state, would

3-32 amount to a violation of this section, for a category B felony by

3-33 imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 2

3-34 years and a maximum term of not more than 10 years, and may be further

3-35 punished by a fine of not more than $15,000.

3-36 (c) For a third or subsequent offense, or if the offender has previously

3-37 been convicted two or more times of violating this section or of any offense

3-38 under the laws of the United States or any state, territory or district which,

3-39 if committed in this state, would amount to a violation of this section, for a

3-40 category B felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term

3-41 of not less than 3 years and a maximum term of not more than 15 years, and

3-42 may be further punished by a fine of not more than $20,000 for each

3-43 offense.

4-1 5. The court shall not grant probation to or suspend the sentence of a

4-2 person convicted under subsection 4 and punishable pursuant to paragraph

4-3 (b) or (c) of subsection 4.

4-4 Sec. 4. NRS 453.326 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-5 453.326 1. It is unlawful for a person:

4-6 (a) To refuse or fail to make, keep or furnish any record, notification,

4-7 order form, statement, invoice or information required under the provisions

4-8 of NRS 453.011 to 453.552, inclusive [;] , and section 1 of this act;

4-9 (b) To refuse an entry into any premises for any inspection authorized

4-10 by the provisions of NRS 453.011 to 453.552, inclusive [;] , and section 1

4-11 of this act; or

4-12 (c) Knowingly to keep or maintain any store, shop, warehouse, dwelling,

4-13 building, vehicle, boat, aircraft or other structure or place which is resorted

4-14 to by persons using controlled substances in violation of the provisions of

4-15 NRS 453.011 to 453.552, inclusive, and section 1 of this act for the

4-16 purpose of using these substances, or which is used for keeping or selling

4-17 them in violation of those sections.

4-18 2. A person who violates this section is guilty of a category C felony

4-19 and shall be punished as provided in NRS 193.130.

4-20 Sec. 5. NRS 453.3345 is hereby amended to read as follows:

4-21 453.3345 1. Unless a greater penalty is provided in NRS 453.333 or

4-22 453.334, and except as otherwise provided in NRS 193.169, any person

4-23 who violates NRS 453.321 or 453.323 [:] or section 1 of this act:

4-24 (a) On the grounds of a public or private school, a playground, public

4-25 swimming pool, recreational center for youths or a video arcade;

4-26 (b) On a campus of the University and Community College System of

4-27 Nevada;

4-28 (c) Within 1,000 feet of the perimeter of such a school ground or

4-29 campus, playground, pool, recreational center or arcade; or

4-30 (d) Within 1,000 feet of a school bus stop from 1 hour before school

4-31 begins until 1 hour after school ends during scheduled school days,

4-32 must be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a term equal to

4-33 and in addition to the term of imprisonment prescribed by statute for the

4-34 crime. The sentence prescribed by this section runs consecutively with the

4-35 sentence prescribed by statute for the crime.

4-36 2. This section does not create a separate offense but provides an

4-37 additional penalty for the primary offense, whose imposition is contingent

4-38 upon the finding of the prescribed fact.

4-39 3. For the purposes of this section:

4-40 (a) "Playground" means any outdoor facility, intended for recreation,

4-41 open to the public and in any portion thereof containing one or more

4-42 apparatus intended for the recreation of children, such as a sliding board,

4-43 teeterboard, sandbox or swingset.

5-1 (b) "Recreational center for youths" means a recreational facility or

5-2 gymnasium which regularly provides athletic, civic or cultural activities for

5-3 persons under 18 years of age.

5-4 (c) "School bus" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 483.160.

5-5 (d) "Video arcade" means a facility legally accessible to persons under

5-6 18 years of age, intended primarily for the use of pinball and video

5-7 machines for amusement and which contains a minimum of 10 such

5-8 machines.

5-9 Sec. 6. NRS 453.3385 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-10 453.3385 Except as otherwise authorized by the provisions of NRS

5-11 453.011 to 453.552, inclusive, a person who knowingly or intentionally

5-12 sells, manufactures, delivers or brings into this state or who is knowingly or

5-13 intentionally in actual or constructive possession of flunitrazepam, gamma-

5-14 hydroxybutyrate, any substance for which flunitrazepam or gamma-

5-15 hydroxybutyrate is an immediate precursor or any controlled substance

5-16 which is listed in schedule I, except marihuana, or any mixture which

5-17 contains any such controlled substance, shall be punished, unless a greater

5-18 penalty is provided pursuant to section 1 of this act, if the quantity

5-19 involved:

5-20 1. Is 4 grams or more, but less than 14 grams, for a category B felony

5-21 by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 1

5-22 year and a maximum term of not more than 6 years and by a fine of not

5-23 more than $50,000.

5-24 2. Is 14 grams or more, but less than 28 grams, for a category B felony

5-25 by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less than 2

5-26 years and a maximum term of not more than 15 years and by a fine of not

5-27 more than $100,000.

5-28 3. Is 28 grams or more, for a category A felony by imprisonment in the

5-29 state prison:

5-30 (a) For life with the possibility of parole, with eligibility for parole

5-31 beginning when a minimum of 10 years has been served; or

5-32 (b) For a definite term of 25 years, with eligibility for parole beginning

5-33 when a minimum of 10 years has been served,

5-34 and by a fine of not more than $500,000.

5-35 Sec. 7. NRS 453.3395 is hereby amended to read as follows:

5-36 453.3395 Except as otherwise provided in NRS 453.011 to 453.552,

5-37 inclusive, a person who knowingly or intentionally sells, manufactures,

5-38 delivers or brings into this state or who is knowingly or intentionally in

5-39 actual or constructive possession of any controlled substance which is listed

5-40 in schedule II or any mixture which contains any such controlled substance

5-41 shall be punished, unless a greater penalty is provided pursuant to section

5-42 1 of this act, if the quantity involved:

6-1 1. Is 28 grams or more, but less than 200 grams, for a category C

6-2 felony as provided in NRS 193.130 and by a fine of not more than $50,000.

6-3 2. Is 200 grams or more, but less than 400 grams, for a category B

6-4 felony by imprisonment in the state prison for a minimum term of not less

6-5 than 2 years and a maximum term of not more than 10 years and by a fine

6-6 of not more than $100,000.

6-7 3. Is 400 grams or more, for a category A felony by imprisonment in

6-8 the state prison:

6-9 (a) For life with the possibility of parole, with eligibility for parole

6-10 beginning when a minimum of 5 years has been served; or

6-11 (b) For a definite term of 15 years, with eligibility for parole beginning

6-12 when a minimum of 5 years has been served,

6-13 and by a fine of not more than $250,000.

6-14 Sec. 8. NRS 453.348 is hereby amended to read as follows:

6-15 453.348 In any proceeding brought under NRS 453.316, 453.321,

6-16 453.333, 453.334, 453.337, 453.338 or 453.401, or section 1 of this act,

6-17 any previous convictions of the offender for a felony relating to controlled

6-18 substances must be alleged in the indictment or information charging the

6-19 primary offense, but the conviction may not be alluded to on the trial of the

6-20 primary offense nor may any evidence of the previous offense be produced

6-21 in the presence of the jury except as otherwise prescribed by law. If the

6-22 offender pleads guilty or guilty but mentally ill to or is convicted of the

6-23 primary offense but denies any previous conviction charged, the court shall

6-24 determine the issue after hearing all relevant evidence. A certified copy of a

6-25 conviction of a felony is prima facie evidence of the conviction.

6-26 Sec. 9. NRS 453.553 is hereby amended to read as follows:

6-27 453.553 1. In addition to any criminal penalty imposed for a

6-28 violation of the provisions of NRS 453.011 to 453.552, inclusive, or

6-29 section 1 of this act, any person who unlawfully sells, manufactures,

6-30 delivers or brings into this state, possesses for sale or participates in any

6-31 way in a sale of a controlled substance listed in schedule I, II or III is

6-32 subject to a civil penalty for each violation. This penalty must be recovered

6-33 in a civil action, brought in the name of the State of Nevada by the attorney

6-34 general or by any district attorney in a court of competent jurisdiction.

6-35 2. As used in this section and NRS 453.5531, 453.5532 and 453.5533:

6-36 (a) "Each violation" includes a continuous or repetitive violation arising

6-37 out of the same act.

6-38 (b) "Sell" includes exchange, barter, solicitation or receipt of an order,

6-39 transfer to another for sale or resale and any other transfer for any

6-40 consideration or a promise obtained directly or indirectly.

6-41 (c) "Substitute" means a substance which:

6-42 (1) Was manufactured by a person who at the time was not currently

6-43 registered with the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and

7-1 (2) Is an imitation of or intended for use as a substitute for a

7-2 substance listed in schedule I, II or III.

7-3 Sec. 10. NRS 52.395 is hereby amended to read as follows:

7-4 52.395 1. When any substance alleged to be a controlled substance,

7-5 dangerous drug or immediate precursor is seized from a defendant by a

7-6 peace officer, the law enforcement agency of which the officer is a member

7-7 may, with the prior approval of the prosecuting attorney, petition the

7-8 district court in the county in which the defendant is charged to secure

7-9 permission to destroy a part of the substance.

7-10 2. Upon receipt of a petition filed pursuant to subsection 1, the district

7-11 court shall order the substance to be accurately weighed and the weight

7-12 thereof accurately recorded. The prosecuting attorney or his representative

7-13 and the defendant or his representative must be allowed to inspect and

7-14 weigh the substance.

7-15 3. If after completion of the weighing process the defendant does not

7-16 knowingly and voluntarily stipulate to the weight of the substance, the

7-17 district court shall hold a hearing to make a judicial determination of the

7-18 weight of the substance. The defendant, his attorney and any other witness

7-19 the defendant may designate may be present and testify at the hearing.

7-20 4. After a determination has been made as to the weight of the

7-21 substance, the district court may order all of the substance destroyed except

7-22 that amount which is reasonably necessary to enable each interested party

7-23 to analyze the substance to determine the composition of the substance. The

7-24 district court shall order the remaining sample to be sealed and maintained

7-25 for analysis before trial.

7-26 5. If the substance is finally determined not to be a controlled

7-27 substance, dangerous drug or immediate precursor, unless the substance

7-28 was destroyed pursuant to subsection 7, the owner may file a claim against

7-29 the county to recover the reasonable value of the property destroyed

7-30 pursuant to this section.

7-31 6. The district court’s finding as to the weight of a substance destroyed

7-32 pursuant to this section is admissible in any subsequent proceeding arising

7-33 out of the same transaction.

7-34 7. If at the time that a peace officer seizes from a defendant a

7-35 substance believed to be a controlled substance, dangerous drug or

7-36 immediate precursor, the peace officer discovers any material or

7-37 substance that he reasonably believes is hazardous waste, the peace

7-38 officer may appropriately dispose of the material or substance without

7-39 securing the permission of a court.

7-40 8. As used in this section:

7-41 (a) "Dangerous drug" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 454.201.

7-42 (b) "Hazardous waste" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS

7-43 459.430.

8-1 (c) "Immediate precursor" has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS

8-2 453.086.

8-3 Sec. 11. NRS 207.360 is hereby amended to read as follows:

8-4 207.360 "Crime related to racketeering" means the commission of,

8-5 attempt to commit or conspiracy to commit any of the following crimes:

8-6 1. Murder;

8-7 2. Manslaughter;

8-8 3. Mayhem;

8-9 4. Battery which is punished as a felony;

8-10 5. Kidnaping;

8-11 6. Sexual assault;

8-12 7. Arson;

8-13 8. Robbery;

8-14 9. Taking property from another under circumstances not amounting to

8-15 robbery;

8-16 10. Extortion;

8-17 11. Statutory sexual seduction;

8-18 12. Extortionate collection of debt in violation of NRS 205.322;

8-19 13. Forgery;

8-20 14. Any violation of NRS 199.280 which is punished as a felony;

8-21 15. Burglary;

8-22 16. Grand larceny;

8-23 17. Bribery or asking for or receiving a bribe in violation of chapter

8-24 197 or 199 of NRS which is punished as a felony;

8-25 18. Battery with intent to commit a crime in violation of NRS 200.400;

8-26 19. Assault with a deadly weapon;

8-27 20. Any violation of NRS 453.232, 453.316 to 453.3395, inclusive, or

8-28 section 1 of this act or NRS 453.375 to 453.401, inclusive;

8-29 21. Receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle;

8-30 22. Any violation of NRS 202.260, 202.275 or 202.350 which is

8-31 punished as a felony;

8-32 23. Any violation of subsection 2 or 3 of NRS 463.360 or chapter 465

8-33 of NRS;

8-34 24. Receiving, possessing or withholding stolen goods valued at $250

8-35 or more;

8-36 25. Embezzlement of money or property valued at $250 or more;

8-37 26. Obtaining possession of money or property valued at $250 or more,

8-38 or obtaining a signature by means of false pretenses;

8-39 27. Perjury or subornation of perjury;

8-40 28. Offering false evidence;

8-41 29. Any violation of NRS 201.300 or 201.360;

8-42 30. Any violation of NRS 90.570, 91.230, 686A.290 or 686A.291; or

8-43 31. Any violation of NRS 205.506, 205.920 or 205.930.

9-1 Sec. 12. The amendatory provisions of this act do not apply to

9-2 offenses that were committed before October 1, 1999.

~