Foreman Beau Newton, right, carries away a section of old lead water pipe on 34th Street in Louisville. The pipe was replaced with copper line. March 3, 2016
Sacramento, California – In response to a surge in copper wire thefts plaguing cities and utilities across California, state lawmakers are advancing a sweeping new measure to tighten regulation of scrap metal dealers and recyclers. Assembly Bill 476, authored by Assemblymember Mark González, would significantly strengthen oversight of the buying and selling of copper and other metals commonly targeted by thieves.
Under current law, junk dealers and recyclers must maintain detailed written records of all purchases and sales, including basic information about the seller and the material. However, AB 476 proposes substantial changes. If enacted, the bill would require dealers to document additional details such as the transaction time, amount paid, and the employee’s identity who handled the sale. Sellers must also provide their full legal name, date of birth, residence address, and sign a statement confirming ownership or lawful possession of the materials.
To further deter theft, the bill would prohibit the sale of nonferrous metals, such as copper, by anyone under the age of 18 and mandate that sellers provide proof of lawful ownership, like an invoice or contractor’s license. Junk dealers would be obligated to keep these records for at least one year and submit to random inspections by law enforcement during business hours.
Perhaps most notably, AB 476 introduces a new licensing requirement for anyone seeking to sell scrap copper. Sellers would need to obtain a valid license from the Contractors State License Board, paying an annual fee of up to $500. The licensing process includes background checks and allows for denial or revocation if the applicant violates state or federal law. Licensed electricians and certain other professionals would be exempt.
The bill also raises the stakes for violations. The maximum criminal fine for knowingly purchasing stolen metals would jump from $1,000 to $10,000. The list of protected items would expand to include streetlights, traffic signals, air quality sensors, and electric vehicle chargers — vital public infrastructure increasingly targeted by thieves.
“Metal theft isn’t just a property crime — it disrupts essential services, endangers public safety, and costs taxpayers millions,” said González. “This legislation will give law enforcement the tools they need to hold bad actors accountable and protect our communities.”
Given its broad expansion of criminal penalties and regulation of business practices, AB 476 would create a new state-mandated local program but specifies that no state reimbursement to local governments would be required.
The bill is making its way through committee and faces votes in the Assembly and Senate in the coming months.
