Dear Residents,
Last week, I was disappointed to see the Senate Economic Development Committee strip the most important provision in the scrap metal theft reform bill: the 3-day payment delay also referred to as the "no cash transaction" section.
Once again, the scrap industry got their way, and the bills are now so watered down, it actually removes more protections for scrap theft (removal of the 7-day tag and hold, removal of civil liability language, and the requirement for a license plate number for each transaction) in exchange for the most important major step to curb theft− the elimination of the instant cash attraction. Now they have reneged on the compromise and used their influence on State Senators to remove the no cash section.
The removal weakens the legislation substantially. Instead, they are proposing to allow the industry create and maintain its own database to track its customers and thefts. I remain skeptical that a database will have an effect in deterring scrap metal theft, and let's be honest, it cannot compare to removing the instant cash that attracts many criminals to steal metals.
Senator Jim Ananich is leading an effort to offer the following amendments to restore the bill to its original intent to stop scrap theft in Michigan:
1. Reinstate a 7-day tag and hold on 3 items, copper wire, catalytic converters, and air conditioner components, with the penalties
2. Michigan State Police (MSP) must approve the database
3. Strict prohibition on the purchases of burnt copper wire
4. The 3 day delay to begin immediately, but sunsets 90 days after the MSP-approved database is implemented
Senator Ananich will offer his amendment during Senate session tomorrow, Wednesday, December 11. Contact your senator to urge that they support these amendments with the passage of HB 4593, but ONLY with Senator Ananich's amendment.
http://www.senate.michigan.gov/fysbyaddress.html
Best,
Rashida