Posted on 06/09/2011 10:53:32 AM PDT by Morgana
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WSAZ) -- A new law goes into effect Wednesday to try to crack down on metal theft in Kentucky.
Attorney General Jack Conway announced that House Bill 242 passed both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly during the 2011 legislative session and was signed into law by Governor Steve Beshear on March 16. Click here to find out more!
HB 242 prohibits anyone from buying or selling metal that has been smelted, burned or melted.
"Near-record prices for copper, platinum, aluminum and other metals have fueled the theft of common items such as copper wiring from utility lines, tornado warning sirens, coal mines and even foreclosed homes," said General Conway. "Metal theft is not only taking a heavy financial toll on businesses, it is endangering lives and putting communities at risk."
According to a press release from the AG, "Metal theft costs businesses nationally around one billion dollars each year, including hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage. It can also affect public safety by compromising communications or emergency response capabilities, such as 911 service."
Kentucky and other states require scrap-metal dealers to keep detailed and extensive records of their transactions in an electronic format, including the seller's photograph, signature and their vehicle's information.
In addition, penalties for damaging a communication or utility facility or interrupting services can include a felony conviction carrying prison time and heavy fines.
Has not all metal at some time been smelted, burned or melted?
Fire won’t melt steel, just ask Rosie O’D.
LOL. Just what I was thinking. Does this mean copper extraction and refining are illegal?
Yep - unless it’s pulled fresh from the ground. Those idiots just outlawed recycling of every type. I swear this country has been infected with a virus that makes huge masses of people dumber than a bag of hammers.
Pretty much. Either theres more to it or its another feel good police state stupidity courtesy of the KY legislature. In the end no amount of law is going to prevent or deter crime esp. in a society bent on drugging itself into oblivion. Here copper cant be sold w/o giving a thumb print. Only problem is the seller gets to do the printing. I strongly suspect the majority of prints are worthless for detection purposes. Until somewhat recently we also had a law dictating a thumb print for gun sales. Thankfully, it was rescinded — they discovered the prints didn’t lead to any arrests. Imagine that....
Empire Metal Recycling
111 22nd Street
Huntington, WV 25703-1255
(304) 529-2339
Stupid reporter. If you read the bill ( http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/11RS/HB242.htm or directly at http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/11RS/HB242/bill.doc) it doesn't prohibit those sales. It just requires ID and a signed statement that you are the owner or authorized by the owner to recycle the item. It also applies to reusable beverage containers over 2 liters in size (I think they probably mean kegs).
Well - dumber than a bag of hammers still applies I guess.
Kentucky passes law that declares stealing illegal. Film at 11.
From the title, I thought the bill included something to have to do with lubricant.
The legislature just voted KY into the stone age.
After years of purchasing beer by the keg and dispensing it with a "Kegerator," I made the mistake of leaving an empty keg in the car overnight before returnung it to the store for a full replacement. To my chagrin, the empty keg disappeared. My wife threw it in the local dumpster. Unnnngh!
BTW, according to my math - and my math may be wrong - it is cheaper to purchase beer in 12 oz cans that it is by the keg. At least where I live.
Saw this phrase and thought of you.
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