WA HB1453

Scrap metal businesses that purchase, trade, or take pledges for stolen copper from telecommunication cables face civil penalties of up to $10,000 for a first violation and up to $20,000 for a second violation

A third violation involving stolen telecommunication copper results in mandatory loss of the scrap metal business license

The enhanced penalties apply specifically when the copper theft can disrupt emergency telecommunication services

General civil penalties for other scrap metal chapter violations remain at up to $1,000 for first offenses and up to $2,000 for subsequent violations within two years