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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | February 9, 2017 01:34 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative John Taylor |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Legislation To Assist Law Enforcement In Investigations Involving Stolen Scrap Metal |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to amend the Scrap Metal Theft Prevention Act (Act 113 of 2008) to assist law enforcement in investigations involving stolen scrap metal. Time and time again, I read articles in the local newspaper and am contacted by constituents about property, such as lawn mowers and other equipment, being stolen from the yards and sheds of local homeowners. This scenario is not unique to my district and presumably, this property is sold as scrap metal for cash. Under current law, scrap metal processors and recycling facility operators are not required to retain sufficient information about the seller or items received that would assist with investigations involving a theft of scrap metals. Additionally, scrap materials can be processed by a facility quickly and this further hampers theft investigations. My legislation requires scrap metal processors and recycling facility operators to maintain proof of identification of a seller for all transactions, requires a scrap metal processor or recycling facility operator to retain items for 14 business days and prohibits cash transactions. These provisions will help identify sellers of stolen scrap materials, and deter sales of stolen scrap material by thieves looking to make a "quick buck". the bill also provides law enforcement with valuable tools to investigate and enforce thefts of scrap materials. Please join me in sponsoring this legislation. |