Powder Cocaine Sentencing Act of 1999

Powder Cocaine Sentencing Act of 1999 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act to decrease (from five kilograms to 500 grams, and from 500 to 50 grams) the amounts of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of coca leaves, cocaine, ecgonine, or compounds thereof (cocaine powder) the manufacture, distribution, or possession of which is punishable by specified penalties under the Act. Makes the same changes in amounts with respect to violations of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act.

Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to promulgate or amend sentencing guidelines to reflect the amendments made by this Act.

[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[S. 146 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

  1st Session
                                 S. 146

 To amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to penalties for 
           crimes involving cocaine, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 19, 1999

 Mr. Abraham (for himself, Mr. Allard, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Hatch, Mr. 
Thurmond, Mr. Helms, Mr. Kyl, Mr. Hutchinson, Mr. Grams, Mr. Enzi, Mr. 
Coverdell, and Mr. Hagel) introduced the following bill; which was read 
          twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend the Controlled Substances Act with respect to penalties for 
           crimes involving cocaine, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Powder Cocaine Sentencing Act of 
1999''.

SEC. 2. SENTENCING FOR VIOLATIONS INVOLVING COCAINE POWDER.

    (a) Amendment of Controlled Substances Act.--
            (1) Large quantities.--Section 401(b)(1)(A)(ii) of the 
        Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(A)(ii)) is 
        amended by striking ``5 kilograms'' and inserting ``500 
        grams''.
            (2) Small quantities.--Section 401(b)(1)(B)(ii) of the 
        Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(B)(ii)) is 
        amended by striking ``500 grams'' and inserting ``50 grams''.
    (b) Amendment of Controlled Substances Import and Export Act.--
            (1) Large quantities.--Section 1010(b)(1)(B) of the 
        Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 
        960(b)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``5 kilograms'' and 
        inserting ``500 grams''.
            (2) Small quantities.--Section 1010(b)(2)(B) of the 
        Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 
        960(b)(2)(B)) is amended by striking ``500 grams'' and 
        inserting ``50 grams''.
    (c) Amendment of Sentencing Guidelines.--Pursuant to section 994 of 
title 28, United States Code, the United States Sentencing Commission 
shall amend the Federal sentencing guidelines to reflect the amendments 
made by this section.
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