HB 1453
In CommitteeHouse
Scrap metal/stolen copper
Protecting consumers by increasing penalties for scrap metal businesses who purchase stolen copper from telecommunication cables.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill increases penalties for scrap metal businesses that buy or trade in stolen copper from telecommunications cables, especially when such theft risks disrupting emergency services. It raises fines and adds license revocation for repeat violations.
- Increases civil penalties for scrap metal businesses that buy or trade stolen copper from telecom cables: up to $10,000 for a first violation and $20,000 for a second violation.
- Mandates loss of business license for a third violation involving stolen telecom copper.
- Raises general civil penalties under the chapter: up to $1,000 for a first violation and $2,000 for a second violation within two years.
- Targets theft that disrupts emergency telecommunications services, such as 911 calls or public safety communications.
Who is affected
- Scrap metal businesses — Scrap metal businesses that buy or trade in stolen copper from telecom cables face increased civil fines and possible loss of license.
- General public / emergency service users — Consumers and emergency responders may benefit from reduced theft of copper cables, helping maintain reliable phone and internet service during emergencies.
- Telecommunications providers — Telecommunications companies could see reduced losses from cable theft and fewer service disruptions.
Pro/Con Analysis
Potential Benefits (3)
Targeted penalties for purchasing stolen telecom copper—especially when theft disrupts 911 or emergency services—create a strong deterrent against a behavior that directly endangers life safety, protecting all residents who rely on emergency communications.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(a)(i) & (ii)By focusing on copper theft that disrupts emergency telecom, the bill addresses a known vulnerability in critical infrastructure, reducing the risk of delayed emergency response and improving community resilience during crises.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(a)(i)Mandatory license revocation for repeat violations removes repeat offenders from the market, preventing recidivism and protecting the public from ongoing threats to telecom reliability and public safety.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(b)
Potential Concerns (4)
Scrap metal businesses—especially small, independent operators—face steep civil penalties ($10,000–$20,000) for second violations involving stolen telecom copper, which could force closures or reduce employment in an already thin-margin sector.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(a)(ii)Mandatory license revocation for a third violation eliminates a person’s livelihood entirely, even if the violations were non-violent and unintentional (e.g., reliance on a supplier’s misrepresentation), with no statutory exception for good-faith efforts.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1(3)(b)The general civil penalty increases ($1,000 → $2,000 for repeat violations) expand the state’s enforcement reach broadly across the scrap metal industry, potentially chilling legitimate transactions due to fear of ambiguous liability—especially for small operators without legal counsel.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 1(1) & (2)While the bill may increase state revenue from civil penalties, the fiscal impact is unspecified and likely modest; any revenue gain is unlikely to meaningfully offset broader economic costs (e.g., job loss, reduced informal recycling) in affected communities.
FinancialRef: Fiscal Impact section
Who Is Most Affected
Small scrap metal operators—especially those in rural or economically strained areas—face disproportionate risk of license loss and large fines for transactions involving stolen copper, even if unaware of the copper’s origin. This may reduce employment and local economic activity.
Low-income and rural residents benefit most from reduced cable theft, as they often rely on public telecom infrastructure for emergency access and are most vulnerable to delayed 911 response. The bill directly enhances their safety without imposing new costs on them.
Telecom providers benefit from reduced theft-related downtime and repair costs, but the bill does not impose new obligations on them or transfer costs to consumers; they are net beneficiaries with no direct downside.
Law enforcement and public safety agencies benefit from reduced infrastructure sabotage, but the bill does not allocate new funding for enforcement—reliance on civil penalties may strain local resources if prosecution is needed.
Rural and low-income households who depend on landline or legacy telecom services are most at risk when copper cables are stolen; the bill helps protect their access to essential services, but they gain no direct economic benefit.