House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

I will be introducing a package of two bills shortly to address the growing problem of the theft of high quality plastics. 
 
There is a burgeoning black market for the theft of plastics.  One expert has commented that when it comes to theft, “plastic is the new copper” and has grown into a more than $100 million annual liability that directly impacts the prices that consumers ultimately must pay at local corner stores and supermarkets.  The plastics being stolen aren’t simple water bottles or packaging plastics – rather, it is the heavy duty plastic delivery trays used to hold bakery goods, soda, dairy, or other items.  Constructed of high density polyethylene manufactured with petroleum, the price for this plastic fluctuates with the price of oil.  More sophisticated thieves mill or grind the stolen plastics to obliterate any identifying marks, then simply sell the remaining product as recycled plastics and pocket the proceeds.  But all of the thefts result in higher costs for merchants which inevitably results in higher costs for consumers.
 
My bills will address this problem in two ways.
 
First, I propose to amend our current statute regarding the theft of plastics to elevate that crime from a simple summary offense to a misdemeanor of the third degree.  Further each stolen item will be the basis for a separate offense.
 
Second, I will expand the identification requirements needed to recycle plastics so that thieves can be deterred or better tracked and apprehended.
 
Please join me in sponsoring these bills.