Montgomery, AL – The Alabama House has passed a bill that supporters hope will curtail the theft of metallic items from buildings, construction sites, cemeteries and even from along Alabama roads.
The House voted 84-8 Thursday for the bill by Republican Rep. Bill Poole of Tuscaloosa that requires metals recyclers to keep additional records concerning metal they have purchased. Law enforcement officials hope this will make it easier to track stolen metallic items. The rising price of metals has made metallic items like manhole covers, cemetery decorations and air conditioner parts common targets for thieves.
The bill also prohibits recyclers from buying metal from someone younger than 18 and provides criminal penalties for persons who damage certain metal items, like electric power equipment. The measure now goes to the Senate for debate.
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