My legislation to crack down on copper thieves, as well as those who steal precious metals and catalytic converters, is now on its way to the governor’s desk. The bill, HB 69, was given strong bipartisan approval by my colleagues in the General Assembly on Friday morning as it passed by a vote of 138-5.
The legislation requires most transactions of scrap metal to be paid for by check or electronic funds transfer, or to include a copy of the seller’s photo identification. The change will better allow the state to track copper thieves. A system currently exists to track sales of potentially stolen copper, but cash transactions of less than $50 are untraceable. The change included in HB 69 will ensure all sales can be tracked, which will help to identify and deter thieves.
When thieves steal copper, they don’t just take property — they often cause major damage to buildings and equipment. They go through sheet rock and under houses to take the copper in wiring and plumbing. They steal copper coils from air conditioning units. This can quickly cause serious damage, sometimes in the tens of thousands of dollars.
The bill also addresses the growing problem of catalytic converter theft by making it a class E Felony to steal a catalytic converter. Additionally, the bill requires buyers of precious metals to wait at least 10 days to melt down the item.
I would like to thank my colleagues and industry representatives who worked together for a bill that has the potential to drastically cut down the untold damages caused by thefts of copper, catalytic converters and precious metals.
The bill’s language was also included in HB 271, which was approved by the General Assembly. Both bills will become law with the governor’s signature.
Another bill likely headed for passage is House Bill 85, also known as the Second Amendment Preservation Act. I was one of the first co-sponsors of this bill, which supports Missouri’s ability to self-govern without control by the federal government. According to the Constitution, our rights to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. But every day another lawmaker in Washington, D.C. announces their intention to ban, confiscate and destroy our firearms. With our rights increasingly under siege, I look forward to final passage and approval by the governor of this important bill.
May God bless and keep you and our great nation.
Hardy Billington represents District 152, which includes parts of Butler and Dunklin counties.