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.