HB528 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rod Scott

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Jamie IsonChad FincherHarry ShiverJimmy MartinJack WilliamsPaul DeMarcoMike BallVictor GastonJay LoveMac McCutcheonMike HillRandy WoodJim BartonDuwayne BridgesElaine BeechMary Sue McClurkinRon JohnsonRichard J. LairdCharles O. NewtonArthur PayneBlaine GalliherFrank McDanielRobert BentleyMicky HammonHoward SanderfordH. Mac GipsonRandy DavisCraig FordJody LetsonMike CurtisYvonne KennedyOliver RobinsonPebblin W. WarrenDemetrius C. NewtonBetty Carol GrahamJeff McLaughlinArtis McCampbellTammy IronsRonald GrantlandMike MillicanAlan HarperThomas JacksonCam WardJohn RobinsonJames C. FieldsJack PageWilliam E. ThigpenButch TaylorHenry A. WhiteTommy ShererJames E. BuskeyWilliam “Bill” M. BeasleyLesley VanceJohn F. Knight Jr

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, over-the-counter products, sales further regulated, on-line electronic verification system operated by Criminal Justice Information Center, penalties, Drug Abuse Task Force, established, members, Sec. 20-2-190 am'd.; Act 2009-283, 2009 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

HB528 tightens regulation of OTC ephedrine/pseudoephedrine sales, establishes an online verification system, strengthens penalties, and creates a Methamphetamine Drug Abuse Task Force and data system to curb meth precursor abuse in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It requires all OTC products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine to be sold behind a counter or in a locked display, and introduces an online sales verification system operated by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center at no cost to the state or retailers. It sets age and identification requirements, imposes purchase limits on packages and total grams per day or per 30 days, and creates stop-sale alerts with an override option that must be logged. It preempts local rules on these products, expands penalties for violations, and creates a state Methamphetamine Drug Abuse Task Force to develop education and training programs, collect data, and advise on laws, plus a drug abuse information system through ACJIC to track illegal drug activity.

Who It Affects

• Retailers and pharmacies selling OTC ephedrine/pseudoephedrine products: must implement behind-counter/locked storage, use the electronic verification system, collect purchaser information, and maintain records.
• Purchasers of these OTC products: must be 18 or older, show government ID (or acceptable alternatives), sign a trackable purchase record, and be subject to daily/30-day quantity limits.
• Wholesalers, manufacturers, and repackagers handling listed precursor chemicals: must register with the ABC Board, keep records of transactions, verify purchaser age, and comply with licensing and recordkeeping requirements.
• Alcoholic Beverage Control Board, Board of Pharmacy, and law enforcement: will operate and access the new electronic system, enforce compliance, and oversee training and investigations.
• Alabama Methamphetamine Drug Abuse Task Force and the public: will develop training/education, coordinate across agencies, gather data, and inform public policy to reduce meth precursor abuse.
• Public and private employers and the general public: will experience enhanced prevention efforts and access to a state drug abuse information system for enforcement and policy guidance.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 20-2-190 to regulate ephedrine/pseudoephedrine sales, requires an online electronic verification system by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center, and provides penalties for violations; the system is to be available at no cost to the state or retailers.
• Stores and packaging rules: products with sole active ingredient ephedrine/pseudoephedrine must be blister-packaged; standalone products must be stored behind a counter or in a locked display case; multi-ingredient products must be stored behind a counter or under video surveillance with data retention.
• Purchase restrictions: no more than two packages per sale; total daily/30-day grams limits apply to purchases containing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine; exceeding limits is unlawful with specified penalties; an override is allowed if the seller fears imminent bodily harm, with logging.
• Identification and records: purchasers must be at least 18 and provide government-issued ID or acceptable alternatives; a special register must be kept for 180 days; record must include purchaser name, address, date/time, product, and total grams sold.
• Stop-sale system: a real-time stop-sale alert will prevent completion of a sale unless an override procedure is followed; overrides must be logged.
• Penalties and licensure: violations can trigger Class C misdemeanors, Class A misdemeanors on subsequent offenses, or Class C felonies for later offenses; certain violations can lead to cancellation of required registrations and forfeiture of selling rights for at least one year.
• Preemption: local ordinances or regulations governing possession or sale of OTC products containing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine are preempted.
• Methamphetamine Drug Abuse Task Force: established with broad membership (AG, ABC Board Director, legislative members, District Attorneys, Chiefs of Police, Sheriffs, Narcotics Officers, regional drug task forces, and public safety directors); duties include developing training, advising the ABC Board, and reporting to the Legislature.
• Data system: ACJIC will create a drug abuse information system to track manufacture, trafficking, distribution, and usage trends; data will be shared with law enforcement to aid prevention and enforcement.
• Funding and partnerships: the task force may use various funds including donations and grants; ACJIC may enter public-private partnerships to make the system available to retailers and law enforcement.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Controlled Substances