Kentucky lawmakers are advancing a new proposal aimed at reducing copper and metal theft by tightening regulations on scrap metal dealers who purchase the stolen materials.
The proposal, Senate Bill 291, is moving to the Senate floor and would require scrap metal dealers to pass a criminal background check conducted by the Kentucky State Police and obtain a license from the state Motor Vehicle Commission.
Lawmakers say the measure comes as metal theft continues to disrupt services across the state. In January, thieves stole about 1,500 feet of copper cable along U.S. 25 in Laurel County, temporarily knocking out internet and 911 services. Over a recent 12-month period, Kentucky recorded 487 theft and vandalism incidents targeting internet service provider lines, resulting in losses of about $3.7 million.
Under the proposed bill, licenses would be denied to anyone convicted within the past five years of felony theft, burglary or drug-related crimes. Scrap dealers would also be required to report each metal purchase in a state database within two days, including photos of the seller’s driver’s license, vehicle and license plate, as well as the materials sold.
The legislation would also prohibit dealers from buying metal from individuals listed on a law enforcement registry of convicted thieves. Failing to report transactions would legally indicate the dealer knew the metal was stolen, making it a Class B misdemeanor.
The bill does not yet specify how much dealers would pay for the license or estimate the cost of enforcing the new system.
Industry representatives told lawmakers they are willing to cooperate despite the additional requirements. Rebecca Hartsough, a lobbyist representing the Recycled Materials Association and River Metals Recycling, said the proposal would bring operational challenges and added costs but acknowledged the seriousness of the issue.
Lawmakers have already taken several steps in recent years to combat metal theft. In 2024, Kentucky passed legislation classifying cable, telephone, broadband and electrical lines as “critical infrastructure,” increasing penalties for tampering with them. Earlier laws also required identification and proof of ownership for selling catalytic converters and restricted cash payments for certain metal items.
Despite those efforts, theft remains widespread. In 2022, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported that up to 66,000 feet of copper wire had been stolen from highway lighting systems near Louisville. Two years later, Louisville police responded to 328 reports of metal theft in the city.
Supporters of the new bill say targeting scrap metal buyers could help close gaps that allow thieves to profit from stolen materials and reduce damage to critical infrastructure across the state.