HB18 Alabama 2012 1st Special Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Kerry Rich

Republican

Session

First Special Session 2012

Title

Human Resources Dept, TANF, drug testing for substance abuse based on reasonable suspicion for eligibility for benefits, required, ineligibility under certain conditions, department to implement

Summary

HB18 tightens regulation of secondary metals recyclers by expanding recordkeeping, requiring law enforcement reporting, limiting payments, and banning several types of metal from sale to recyclers, with added penalties.

What This Bill Does

The bill requires secondary metals recyclers to keep detailed records of each metal purchase, including buyer/seller information, IDs, photos, vehicle details, date/time, weight/description, and amount paid. It requires notification to local law enforcement and electronic reporting within 24 hours, and allows police to inspect the held metal for at least three business days. Payments for purchases must be by check (with limited cash options), and there are many prohibited items and age restrictions for sellers; violators could face criminal penalties, including misdemeanors and felonies. It also requires pre-licensing notification and possible inspection by the sheriff, with exemptions for certain government or licensed entities, and sets effective date rules.

Who It Affects

• Secondary metals recyclers and buyers, who must maintain detailed records, report transactions to law enforcement, pay by check, hold property for inspection, and avoid prohibited purchases.
• People and entities selling metal property (including owners or authorized sellers), who must show ownership or authorization, may be restricted by age (no sales to those under 18 for certain transactions), and face penalties if they violate the prohibited purchase provisions.

Key Provisions

• §13A-8-31: Recyclers must maintain a detailed record of each purchase (names/addresses, date/time, weight/description, amount paid, ownership statement, seller and delivering party details, ID information with copies, vehicle data, and photos) and to rely on records for at least two years.
• Cash purchase limits: No cash payments over $100 for copper or $1,000 for other metals; payments must be by check payable to the seller and mailed or picked up; smaller transactions may allow cash at recycler's discretion.
• Reporting and holding: Recyclers must electronically report to the sheriff/chief within 24 hours and hold purchased metal separately for at least three business days with law enforcement access to inspect and view photos.
• §13A-8-35 exemptions: Several categories (e.g., certain law enforcement, bankruptcy executors, court-ordered sales, manufacturing vendors) are exempt from the article.
• §13A-8-37 penalties: Violations tied to selling purchased metal have penalties based on value (ranging from Class A misdemeanor to Class B/C felonies; restitution may be ordered; pattern violations can escalate to Class C felony).
• Section 4 restrictions: Multiple items cannot be purchased from a recycler (e.g., bronze cemetery items, manhole covers, utility-marked metal, street signs, water meters, traffic signs/lights, government-marked items, certain building/utility materials, catalytic converters not part of a vehicle, etc.), with a separate 18+ seller restriction for certain purchases (Class A misdemeanor).
• Section 3 pre-licensing notification: Recyclers must notify the county sheriff with business details and obtain an inspection to ensure compliance before starting, unless already licensed.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective 60 days after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Human Resources Department