The pages and posts of local media in the last several years have consistently reported on crimes involving scrap metal.
On Tuesday, the state of House of Representatives sent a message to those involved in committing such crimes with overwhelming support for State Rep. Tina Davis amendment to Senate Bill 1077.
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“We must make a stand against the looting of homeowners, businesses, utilities and transportation systems, all of whom are losing many millions of dollars a year,” Davis said about her amendment to Senate Bill 1077.
“The metal thefts are not nuisances but serious crimes that pose threats to public health, security and peace of mind.”
Davis had been working on her version of bill that was scheduled to come up for a third consideration vote on Monday, however it was pulled of the calendar at the last minute for and as yet unknown reason.
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Davis said law enforcement and scrap metal dealers were consulted during the crafting of the amendment, and the author of S.B. 1077, state Sen. David Argall, also approved of the amendment.
“Legitimate dealers and industry officials stepped to the plate and helped mold the safeguards that also will protect them,” Davis said. “The beefed-up legislation would give law enforcement additional tools to clamp down on the brazen thefts of everything from veterans’ cemetery markers to fire hydrants and communications fixtures.”
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Davis said her amendment would:
- Require scrap processors and recycling facilities to register with the state police;
- Direct the state police to post and maintain a statewide registry of scrap processors and recycling facilities on its website;
- Increase the credentials required for transactions involving restricted materials, such as railroad ties; and
- Give courts the authority to impound vehicles linked to scrap metal thefts.
S.B. 1077 now faces final consideration in the House, possibly as early as Wednesday, before being returned to the Senate for consideration of the amendment.
Davis said this how we get things done in a bi-partisan way.
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“My efforts to crack down on metal thefts have been two years in the making but will be well worth the effort. The legislature appears to be poised to take action.”
