HB 4593 Summary

• Expands Michigan's scrap metal regulatory act to cover ferrous and nonferrous metals and items containing these metals, renaming it the "scrap metal regulatory act."

• Requires scrap metal dealers to pay sellers using checks, money orders, or electronic payment cards (not cash), with stricter payment requirements for catalytic converters, air conditioning components, and copper items that must use direct deposit, mailed checks, or electronic transfers.

• Mandates scrap metal dealers obtain and maintain detailed transaction records including seller identification, thumbprints, photographs, and transaction details for at least one year; establishes electronic database reporting requirements within 30 days of implementation by the Department of State Police.

• Prohibits purchase or sale of public fixtures, marked property belonging to others, cemetery articles, railroad property, and silver alloy telecommunication batteries without proper authorization; establishes felony penalties (up to 5 years imprisonment or $5,000 fine) for knowingly purchasing or selling stolen scrap metal.

• Allows private civil actions for violations with treble damages for stolen property cases and establishes state civil infractions with fines up to $5,000; effective date is July 1, 2014.