GA HB872

Comprehensively revises Georgia's regulations for secondary metals recyclers by expanding the definition of "regulated metal property" to include ferrous metals, aluminum property, copper property, and catalytic converters, and adding new defined terms such as "deliverer," "seller," "coil," and "burial object"

Restricts purchases of coils and burned/charred copper wire to transactions with licensed contractors or sellers with verifiable documentation, and restricts purchases of burial objects to transactions with licensed funeral directors, registered cemetery owners, or manufacturers with proper credentials

Eliminates cash payments for regulated metal property, requiring secondary metals recyclers to pay only by check, electronic funds transfer, or voucher payable to the recorded seller, and prohibits recyclers from cashing or redeeming checks on their premises

Requires secondary metals recyclers to register annually with the county sheriff (fee up to $200), maintain detailed transaction records for at least two years including digital photographs, signed affidavits, scanned IDs, and facial images of sellers and deliverers, and restricts buying/selling hours to 7:00 A.M.–7:00 P.M.

Establishes escalating criminal penalties—misdemeanor for a first offense, high and aggravated misdemeanor for a second, and felony with up to ten years imprisonment for a third or subsequent offense—and authorizes civil forfeiture of property used to facilitate related crimes, effective July 1, 2012