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• Introduced by Rep. Bert Johnson (D) on October 23, 2007, to establish a new crime of stealing copper wire, or selling stolen copper wire, subject to up to two years in prison and $5,000 fine, depending on the source of the stolen material. The bill would also impose new recordkeeping requirements on scrap metal dealers. The bill comes in the wake of a rash of copper cable thefts in Detroit and other locations.
  • Referred to the House Judiciary Committee on October 23, 2007.
    • Reported in the House on March 12, 2008, with the recommendation that the amendments be adopted and that the bill then.
  • Amendment offered in the House on June 11, 2008, to adopt a committee amendment that increases the proposed penalty. The amendment was not adopted, but a substitute version of the bill was adopted that makes the same change. The amendment failed in the House by voice vote on June 11, 2008.
  • Substitute offered by Rep. Paul Condino (D) on June 11, 2008, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that increases the proposed penalty from 2 years to 5 years. The substitute passed in the House by voice vote on June 11, 2008.
• Passed in the House (109 to 0) on June 11, 2008, to establish a new crime of stealing copper wire, or selling stolen copper wire, subject to up to five years in prison and $5,000 fine, depending on the source of the stolen material. The bill would also impose new recordkeeping requirements on scrap metal dealers. The bill comes in the wake of a rash of copper cable thefts in Detroit and other locations. [Vote Details and Comments]
• Received in the Senate on June 12, 2008.
  • Referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 12, 2008.
    • Reported in the Senate on December 4, 2008, with the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.