House Bill 482 Alabama 2026 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tim WadsworthRepresentative

Republican

Session

2026 Regular Session

Title

Secondary metals theft; requirements for sale and recycling of certain secondary metals, including copper, further provided; penalties for violations, further provided

Summary

HB482 would tighten Alabama's secondary metals theft laws by expanding protected property, tightening sale/recycling requirements, and increasing penalties, with new rules taking effect on October 1, 2026.

What This Bill Does

It expands protected property to include more metal items such as copper wire, copper coils, utility infrastructure components, grave markers, and school property. It tightens sale and recycling rules by requiring verifiable owner documentation for many items and restricting who may buy certain items (like catalytic converters and copper coils). It creates a tiered penalty system for violations within a 10-year period, with escalating felonies and stricter consequences for possession offenses, plus restitution obligations. It becomes effective October 1, 2026.

Who It Affects

• Secondary metals recyclers and buyers, who must verify ownership/documentation for many items and could face felony charges for violations.
• Property owners and the public (utilities, schools, cemeteries, and general residents), who gain expanded protections for infrastructure and other metal property.

Key Provisions

• Amends §13A-8-36 to expand unlawful damages to include more metal items (including certain utility infrastructure, gravesite items, and copper wire) and establishes escalating penalties (Class C felony first offense, Class B felony second offense, Class A felony third or subsequent offense within 10 years). Restitution may be ordered equal to the value of damaged or stolen metal plus replacement and repair costs.
• Amends §13A-8-37 to make unlawful possession of stolen metal property a crime, with penalties increasing from Class B felony for a first offense to Class C felony for second or subsequent offenses within 10 years, plus enhanced sentencing restrictions (no probation, no early release, etc.).
• Adds §13A-8-37.1 requiring verifiable documentation for sale of items such as catalytic converters, utility-related metal, and copper coils, to prove ownership before the recycler can complete the sale.
• Adds §13A-8-37.4 imposing penalties for false or fraudulent information related to catalytic converter transactions.
• Section 2 sets the act to take effect on October 1, 2026.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 19, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes & Offenses