House approves Hayes’ bill prompted by Burlington motel meth contamination

March 1, 2017

A bill that would allow officials to move residents out of meth-contaminated facilities cleared the state House of Representatives Wednesday. John Sattgast reports from Olympia.

SATTGAST: Last November, city officials in Burlington found nearly every room at the Sterling Motor Inn to be highly contaminated with methamphetamine residue. Nearly 50 people were living there, including children and senior citizens with medical conditions.

The city wanted to move them out. But the county prosecutor said they couldn't legally do it. State law requires manufacturing of the substance on site – not just presence of meth – for any action to take place. And the meth makers had already left.

HAYES: “The levels of contamination were like 150 times the healthy level. And the health officers weren't able to go in and do the cleanup based on this statute.”

SATTGAST: That's 10th District State Representative Dave Hayes. He's the sponsor of House Bill 1757.

HAYES: “This statute fixes that situation. It allows for that facility to be cleaned up without having to go through the condemnation process.”

The bill passed the House unanimously. It now goes to the Senate for further consideration.

John Sattgast, Olympia.