WV House Passes Scrap Metal Bill

Scrap theft bill on fast track to passage.

There seems to be appreciable momentum by states throughout the country passing various bills that hope to curtail the theft and sale of scrap metal. These bills are in response to the plethora of thefts that have swept the country.

In West Virginia, House Bill 2748, which was initially introduced into the House Judiciary Jan. 30, has passed the West Virginia House on Feb. 22, and has been introduced into the State Senate.

The bill follows the trend that is sweeping the country, with states such as Illinois, Hawaii, Texas and Washington also debating various scrap metal laws.

The bill aimed to amend and reenact a law relating to the receipt and transfer of scrap metal; imposing of additional reporting and record retention requirements for certain purchasers of nonferrous metal or steel railroad track and track material; clarifying procedure by which law enforcement officers authority may take custody of items made of such metals upon reasonable belief that a crime had been committed; providing for the inspection of records and materials by investigators employed by public utilities and railroads; providing for the return of such metals under certain conditions; and increasing criminal penalties for violations.