SSB 6190
In CommitteeSenate
Critical infrastructure
Protecting critical infrastructure.
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 strengthens protections for critical infrastructure—especially communications systems—by making destruction of voice, video, or data services a class C felony and allowing civil lawsuits for damages. It also tightens regulations on scrap metal businesses, requiring stricter recordkeeping, ID verification, electronic payments, and digital documentation to prevent theft and illegal transactions.
- Scrap metal businesses must keep detailed, legible transaction records—including seller ID, vehicle info, metal description, and weight—for five years and allow law enforcement inspection during business hours.
- Sellers must present at least one government-issued photo ID; commercial sellers must prove ownership or authorization, and wire sellers must prove lawful burning of insulated wire.
- Payments for scrap metal must be made electronically (e.g., electronic funds transfer or nontransferable check), with a $30 cash exception, and only after a three-day hold for non-commercial sellers.
- Digital photos or videos of materials (or in vehicles) must be captured and retained for at least two years (photos) or 30 days (video) to satisfy identification and evidence requirements.
- Destruction of critical communications infrastructure—including physical or cyber damage to voice, video, or data services—is now a class C felony, with a new civil cause of action allowing victims to sue for damages and legal fees.
- Violations of scrap metal laws carry escalating civil fines ($1,000 for first, $2,000 for second within two years), and up to $20,000 for repeated theft of copper from telecom cables, with license revocation for a third violation.
Who is affected
- Scrap metal businesses — Scrap metal businesses must now follow stricter recordkeeping, identification verification, and payment rules when buying or receiving nonferrous metals and commercial metal property.
- Individuals and businesses selling scrap metal — Sellers of scrap metal—including individuals and commercial entities—must provide government-issued photo ID, sign a declaration about property ownership, and may only receive payment via traceable electronic methods (with limited cash exceptions).
- Law enforcement agencies — Law enforcement agencies gain new authority to inspect records, enforce penalties, and pursue criminal and civil charges for destruction of critical communications infrastructure.
- Critical infrastructure operators (e.g., telecom, utilities) — Telecommunications and utility infrastructure operators benefit from stronger legal tools to protect against theft and sabotage of critical communications systems like fiber optic cables.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Civil penalties up to $20,000 for copper theft from telecom cables—and license revocation for third violations—will reduce theft of critical infrastructure, helping prevent widespread service outages (e.g., 911 disruptions) that disproportionately harm vulnerable communities relying on reliable communications during emergencies.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Section 4(3)(a)(ii)Stricter recordkeeping and ID verification (e.g., license plate, government ID, seller declaration under penalty of law) will help law enforcement trace stolen metals and disrupt organized theft networks, reducing theft of catalytic converters and telecom cables that cost Washingtonians millions in service losses annually.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Section 1(1)(h), Section 2(3), Section 4(1)Electronic payment requirements (e.g., nontransferable checks, EFT) reduce cash-based fraud and money laundering in the scrap metal industry, protecting honest small businesses from unfair competition by unscrupulous operators who evade taxes or launder proceeds from theft.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Section 2(4)(a), Section 2(4)(b)Mandatory seller declarations under penalty of law and transaction records (time, date, location, value) create a transparent audit trail that deters fencing of stolen property, indirectly protecting everyday residents from rising property crime and insurance premiums tied to metal theft.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Section 2(2), Section 1(1)(b)Class C felony designation for destruction of critical communications infrastructure (including cyber components) strengthens deterrence against sabotage of 911 systems, hospitals, and emergency response networks—protecting public safety during disasters or attacks.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Section 7, Section 8
Potential Concerns (5)
Scrap metal businesses face new operational costs: mandatory digital photo/video retention (2 years/30 days), 5-year recordkeeping, electronic payment processing, and ID verification systems. These requirements disproportionately burden small, independent scrap yards with limited IT and compliance resources, potentially forcing consolidation or closure.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Section 1(1)(g), Section 2(1), Section 4(4)(b)(i)The $30 cash exception and 3-day hold for non-commercial sellers will delay payment to everyday sellers (e.g., individuals selling scrap from home renovations), reducing liquidity and increasing financial stress for low-income individuals who rely on immediate cash. Electronic-only payments exclude unbanked or underbanked populations.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Section 2(4)(a), Section 2(4)(b)Civil penalties up to $20,000 for copper theft from telecom cables may incentivize over-policing of low-level sellers (e.g., individuals selling small amounts of wire) rather than targeting organized theft rings, potentially criminalizing poverty and straining community relations with law enforcement.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Section 4(3)(a)(ii)Creating a civil cause of action for destruction of critical communications infrastructure strengthens legal recourse for telecom providers but may not meaningfully benefit everyday people directly—most individuals lack standing to sue for infrastructure damage unless personally injured or financially harmed, and litigation remains costly and inaccessible for average residents.
Public SafetyRef: Section 7, Section 8Mandatory digital photography of materials in vehicles raises privacy concerns for everyday sellers, especially those transporting personal items in trucks or vans. While intended for evidence, the requirement could deter legitimate sellers who fear surveillance or data misuse, particularly in rural areas with limited digital literacy.
Business & EmploymentRef: Section 4(4)(b)(ii)
Who Is Most Affected
Scrap metal businesses—especially small, independently owned yards—will face significant compliance costs (digital recordkeeping, ID verification, electronic payments) that strain operations and may reduce profitability or force closures, consolidating the industry.
Individuals selling scrap metal (e.g., retirees, low-income residents) will face delays in payment (3-day hold), exclusion from cash transactions (except $30), and privacy concerns from mandatory photo/video capture, reducing accessibility and liquidity.
Law enforcement gains stronger tools to investigate metal theft and infrastructure sabotage, improving public safety outcomes, but may divert resources toward regulatory enforcement rather than violent crime.
Telecom and utility infrastructure operators benefit from stronger civil remedies and felony charges for sabotage, reducing losses from copper theft, but these protections primarily serve corporate bottom lines, not end users.