HB18 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Lesley Vance

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Secondary metals recyclers, copper purchases and metal purchases, payment by check, information for purchases, database, limits on purchase, Secs. 13A-8-31, 13A-8-35, 13A-8-37 am'd.

Summary

HB18 would tighten rules for Alabama's secondary metals recyclers by expanding recordkeeping, requiring law-enforcement notification, restricting certain purchases, and adding penalties to curb theft and illicit metal sales.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the bill requires recyclers to keep detailed records of each metal purchase (including buyer/seller names, addresses, IDs, photos, and delivery details) and to enter this information into a law-enforcement database within 24 hours. It bars large cash payments and instead requires payment by check to the seller, with small transactions potentially paid in cash at the recycler's discretion. It prohibits purchases from anyone under 18, requires documentation proving ownership or authorization to sell, and gives law enforcement the right to inspect the business and held metal; it also bans buying or selling a wide range of restricted metal items without proper documentation and imposes criminal penalties for violations.

Who It Affects

• Secondary metals recyclers in Alabama who must implement new recordkeeping, notification, payment, and inspection requirements
• Metal sellers and the general public (including owners, authorized representatives, and minors) who face ownership/authorization documentation rules, age restrictions, and potential penalties for illicit sales or purchases of restricted items

Key Provisions

• Recordkeeping: Recyclers must maintain a legible record of every purchase including recycler and seller names/addresses, date/time, weight/description of metal, amount paid, a signed ownership/authorization statement, and detailed deliverer information (including ID number, a photo, and vehicle details). If different from the payer, information for the recipient must also be kept.
• Payment rules: No cash payments over $100 for copper or $1,000 for all other metals. Payments must be by check issued to the seller, mailed to the seller's address, or picked up by the seller; cash may be used for small transactions at the recycler's discretion.
• Database and holding period: Purchases must be entered into a law-enforcement database within 24 hours, and the metal must be held separately and identifiable for at least three business days during which law enforcement may inspect the property and view photos.
• Notify and inspect: Recyclers must notify the county sheriff (or city police in municipalities) with business details and obtain an inspection to ensure compliance; this applies to new businesses, with an exemption for those already licensed on the act’s effective date.
• Restricted purchases: A wide list of metal properties requires documentation proving ownership or authorization before purchase, including bronze cemetery items, manhole covers, utility-marked metals, utility/access components (covers, signs, poles, rails, meters), beer kegs marked by a brewery, traffic devices, government-marked scrap, utilities/railroad-owned metals, certain construction materials, historical or grave markers, catalytic converters not part of a vehicle, smelted/melted metals, air-conditioning parts without an valid HVAC license, and brightly painted metals.
• Age and penalties: It is unlawful to sell to a recycler if the seller is under 18 (Class A misdemeanor); violations related to the restricted items and overall illicit sales can lead to Class C or Class B felonies depending on value and damage, plus potential restitution.
• Local-funding note: The bill includes language about Amendment 621 (local-funds expenditure) but states it is exempted from needing local approvals due to specified exceptions.
• Effective date: The act becomes effective 60 days after governor signature.
• Exemption: The bill does not apply to existing licensed recyclers as of the act’s effective date.

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

Subjects

Business and Commerce