Metal Theft Prevention Act of 2013

Bill: 113-s-394
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2013-02-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Crimes against property
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Electric power generation and transmission
Infrastructure development
Metals
Railroads
Roads and highways
Solid waste and recycling
U.S. Sentencing Commission
Water storage
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2013-02-27
text: 
Metal Theft Prevention Act of 2013 - Prohibits stealing specified metal being used in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, the theft of which harms critical infrastructure, including metal used as part of an electrical substation, power line, cellular tower, telephone land line, highway equipment and facilities, railroad equipment and facilities, water well, reservoir, or sewage line. Sets penalties of a fine, 10 years' imprisonment, or both, for violations.
 
Defines "specified metal" to include metal that is: (1) marked with the name, logo, or initials of a city, county, state, or federal government entity, a railroad, an electric, gas, or water company, a telephone company, a cable company, a retail establishment, or a public utility; (2) part of certain infrastructure items, such as a street light pole, guard rail, storm water grate, or grave marker; (3) a wire or cable commonly used by communications and electrical utilities; or (4) copper, aluminum, and other metal that is valuable for recycling or reuse as raw metal (except for aluminum cans).
 
Prohibits a recycling agent from purchasing such metal: (1) unless the seller provides documentation of ownership of, or other proof of the authority of the seller to sell, such metal and there is a reasonable basis to believe that the documentation provided is valid (does not require the agent to independently verify such validity); or (2) that the agent knows, or has a reasonable basis to believe, to be stolen. Subjects violators to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation.
 
Sets forth recycling agent record-keeping and confidentiality requirements. Prohibits a recycling agent from paying cash for a single purchase of such metal of more than $100. Considers more than 1 purchase in any 48-hour period from the same seller to be a single purchase. 
 
Exempts from such documentation requirements or purchase limits any recycling agent that is subject to a state or local law that requires obtaining such documentation or that limits such purchases.
 
Authorizes specified enforcement actions by the Attorney General and state attorneys general or equivalent state regulators. 
 
Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements applicable to a person convicted of the theft of such metal.

action_date: 2013-06-17
text: 
Metal Theft Prevention Act of 2013 - (Sec. 3) Prohibits knowingly stealing specified metal being used in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, the theft of which is from, and which harms, critical infrastructure. 
 
Defines "specified metal" to include metal that is: (1) marked with the name, logo, or initials of a city, county, state, or federal government entity, a railroad, an electric, gas, or water company, a telephone company, a cable company, a retail establishment, a beer supplier or distributor, or a public utility; (2) part of certain infrastructure items, such as a street light pole, guard rail, storm water grate, or grave marker; (3) a wire or cable commonly used by communications and electrical utilities; or (4) copper, aluminum, and other metal that is valuable for recycling or reuse as raw metal (except for aluminum cans and motor vehicles, the purchases of which are reported to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System).
 
(Sec. 4) Prohibits a recycling agent from purchasing specified metal: (1) unless the seller provides documentation of ownership or other proof of the authority to sell such metal and there is a reasonable basis to believe that the documentation provided is valid; or (2) that the agent knows or should know, based upon commercial experience and practice, to be stolen. 
 
(Sec. 5) Requires a recycling agent to maintain specified written or electronic records of each purchase of specified metal for two years. Allows any information in such records to be disclosed to any federal, state, or local law enforcement authority or as otherwise directed by a court of law. 
 
Prohibits a recycling agent from paying cash for a single purchase of such metal of more than $100. Considers more than 1 purchase in any 48-hour period from the same seller to be a single purchase. Requires a recycling agent, for a purchase exceeding $100, to make payment by a check that is payable to the seller and that includes the seller's name and address.
 
Permits a recycling agent to make payments for a purchase of specified metal of more than $100 from a governmental or commercial supplier of specified metal with which the agent has an established commercial relationship by electronic funds transfer or other established commercial transaction payment method through a commercial bank if the agent maintains a written record that identifies the seller, the amount paid, and the date of purchase.
 
Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an enforcement action in U.S. district court, or authorizes an an attorney general or equivalent regulator of a state to bring a civil action in the name of the state for monetary or equitable relief, for a violation of this Act.
 
(Sec. 8) Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and amend the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and policy statements applicable to a person convicted of the theft of such metal.
 
(Sec. 9) Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to preempt any state or local law regulating the sale or purchased of specified metal, the reporting of such transactions, or any other aspect of the metal recycling industry.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2013-06-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 88.
action_date: 2013-06-17
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2013-06-17
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2013-06-13
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2013-02-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2013-02-27
text: Introduced in Senate