For the last several years, copper theft has been a growing problem in states across the country. Recently, telephone customers in the Kansas City area have suffered extended loss of service after copper phone lines have been stolen.
CSOonline has a great article and provides in-depth analysis of the growing epidemic here.
In Missouri, the General Assembly has taken notice of the problem and proposed a fix in Senate Bill 1034 – sponsored by Sen. Rob Mayer.
The legislative proposal modifies the current record-keeping requirements for purchases of copper scrap metal and also applies such record-keeping requirements to purchases of aluminum scrap metal, and makes it a Class D felony to steal or appropriate, without the owner’s consent, any wire or plumbing material containing ferrous or non-ferrous metal.
The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 28-0, and was voted Do Pass in the House Special Committee on Utilities on April 17, 2008.
MCA will continue to monitor the progress of SB 1034 and will provide updates as the legislative session continues.
