Skip to main content Skip to office menu Skip to footer
Capital IconMinnesota Legislature

Seeing meth precursor log data

Published (2/6/2009)
By Mike Cook
Share on: 



A pair of bills that would help law enforcement agents track potential methamphetamine manufacturers have some members questioning the potential for invasion of privacy.

Sponsored by Rep. Joe Mullery (DFL-Mpls) and Rep. Debra Hilstrom (DFL-Brooklyn Center), respectively, HF70 and HF145 were held over Jan. 29 by the House Public Safety Policy and Oversight Committee for possible omnibus bill inclusion.

Current law requires business establishments that sell over-the-counter methamphetamine precursor drugs to have the buyer, in part, “sign a written or electronic document detailing the date of the sale, the name of the buyer, and the amount of the drug sold.”

Bob Bushman, Statewide Gang and Drug Task Force coordinator for the Department of Public Safety, said some task force members have had difficulty obtaining transaction information. “When the changes were made to this a couple years ago, there was no language put in there that requires them to retain that log information that they get when they sell the stuff, and there was no requirement that they make the logs available to law enforcement.”

Mullery’s bill would require businesses to keep the log for five years from the date of purchase. It would also provide immunity to the business or employee from any liability that comes from releasing sales information. Hilstrom’s measure would require the log “be open to the inspection of any law enforcement agency.”

Rep. Paul Kohls (R-Victoria) said this gets close to invasion of privacy on people’s health care. “It’s not prescription medication; but nonetheless, I’m not sure how I feel about law enforcement gathering information on my Sudafed purchases when there’s no reason to suspect that I’m involved the manufacture of methamphetamine.”

Bushman said the goal is to get at individuals or groups of people who buy their limit at one store and go to more stores over a number of days. They then put the product together to manufacture the illegal drug. “When you look at the logs, it’s very apparent,” he said.

A companion to Mullery’s bill, SF173, sponsored by Sen. Leo Foley (DFL-Coon Rapids), awaits action by the Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee. A companion to Hilstrom’s bill, SF30, sponsored by Sen. Linda Higgins (DFL-Mpls), awaits action by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Session Weekly More...


Session Weekly Home



Related Stories


Turn your key and breathe
House approves ignition interlock bill that would let DWI offenders drive sooner
(view full story) Published 4/29/2010

Minnesota Index: Crime and punishment
Figures and statistics on crime in Minnesota.
(view full story) Published 3/18/2010

Red River Basin: ‘Here we go again’
Flood-prone communities look to keep their heads above water
(view full story) Published 3/4/2010

At Issue: Courts and corrections backing
Public safety finance bill awaits gubernatorial action
(view full story) Published 5/15/2009

At Issue: Corrections, courts funding concerns
Omnibus public safety finance bill gets mixed reaction from House
(view full story) Published 5/1/2009

At Issue: Sex offenders, courts and corrections
Omnibus public safety policy bill headed to conference committee
(view full story) Published 4/24/2009

At Issue: Helping to find missing adults
House vote expected soon on ‘Brandon’s Law’
(view full story) Published 4/17/2009

Minnesota Index: Keeping Minnesotans safe
Figures and statistics on the state patrol and fire marshals in Minnesota
(view full story) Published 3/20/2009

Minnesota Index: See you in court
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's court system
(view full story) Published 2/27/2009

Minnesota Index: 'The Graybar Hotel'
Figures and statistics on Minnesota's prison population
(view full story) Published 1/16/2009