I cosponsored and helped pass H.R. 365, the Methamphetamine Remediation Act of 2007, in both the Science and Technology Committee and on the House floor. This important bill charges the Environmental Protection Agency with the development of health-based guidelines to assist state and local authorities in cleaning up former meth lab sites. Because meth labs are often found in residential settings such as houses, apartments or hotel rooms, the chemicals used in making meth are highly volatile and leave behind dangerous toxic residue.

   The effects abandoned meth labs have on public health can be deadly and we must do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our communities and our state. According to a 2006 National Drug Threat Survey of state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation, meth was named most often as the greatest drug threat in communities. The Drug Enforcement Administration reports that more than 426 meth labs were seized in Arkansas in 2005, down from the 714 seized in 2003.

   I will continue to use my seat on the House Committee on Science and Technology, to help law enforcement find, shut down and clean up meth labs. I will fight to support essential research to determine the best way to clean up labs and eliminate the chemicals that can harm our environment and lead to significant health problems.  Keeping our communities safe and healthy is an issue we must continue to address and I believe this bill is a step in the right direction.