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TX HB3552
Bill
Status
2/28/2025
Primary Sponsor
Cole Hefner
Click for details
AI Summary
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Damaging or destroying copper or brass components of critical infrastructure facilities (power plants, telecommunications systems, water treatment plants, 9-1-1 systems, etc.) that causes impairment or interruption becomes a third-degree felony, regardless of the dollar value of damage
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Theft of copper or brass from critical infrastructure facilities is enhanced by one offense category above the standard theft penalties, and a new state jail felony is created for unauthorized possession of copper or brass material by persons not authorized to have it
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Metal recycling entities are prohibited from purchasing copper or brass material from individuals unless the seller acquired it in the ordinary course of business (such as utilities, telecommunications providers, licensed contractors, or registered recyclers), and must maintain transaction records for two years
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The Department of Public Safety must develop training materials to help metal recycling entities identify potentially stolen copper or brass material, and must conduct a study every three years on the effectiveness of these regulations in reducing theft
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Administrative penalties up to $10,000 may be imposed on metal recycling entities that fail to exercise due diligence or maintain required records, and local governments are preempted from adding restrictions beyond state requirements for copper/brass transactions
Legislative Description
Relating to criminal conduct involving the theft, damage, destruction, or unlawful possession of copper or brass, to criminal conduct committed in, around, or in relation to critical infrastructure facilities or equipment or interrupting or impairing the operation of those facilities or equipment, and to the sale of regulated materials, including copper or brass material, to metal recycling entities and training on identifying those materials; creating criminal offenses; increasing criminal penalties; providing an administrative penalty.
Crimes
Last Action
Laid on the table subject to call
5/14/2025