Arizona Lawmakers Make Scrap Selling Tougher

 H.B. 214, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Weiers, was approved 25-2 by the senate and would restrict on-the-spot payments for large purchases and impose new reporting requirements on dealers. The House also overwhelmingly approved the bill, with a 55-2 vote.

State law there already requires scrap metal dealers to keep a record of each transaction exceeding $25. Dealers must log a description of the metal; the dollar amount paid and identify information about the seller and the seller’s vehicle.

The bill would add additional requirements, including requiring buyers to use seller’s driver’s license or other photo ID to verify identification information. They also must keep a photo copy of ID and photos of the seller and the material purchased by the dealer.

One of the biggest changes is that payments for transactions of $300 or more must be mailed by check or money order.

The bill will go into affect after the governor signs it and it has been 90 days since the end of the legislative session.

Some supporters of the bill were the utility companies, the Arizona Farm Bureau and the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police.