The bill amends the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Act by granting law enforcement officers the authority to conduct investigations into violations of the act. It specifies that investigative reports must be submitted to the attorney general, regardless of whether local action is taken. Additionally, the attorney general is given jurisdiction over the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the act, including the ability to employ agents, issue subpoenas, and conduct educational outreach programs. The bill also establishes two funds: the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Fee Fund and the Scrap Metal Data Repository Fund, both of which are to be administered by the attorney general and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, respectively.

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions to ensure that information maintained in the database created by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation is confidential and not subject to public records requests. It mandates that the attorney general submit annual reports on the act's implementation and prohibits any entity contracting with the attorney general or the Kansas Bureau of Investigation from charging scrap metal dealers fees for submitting information to the database. The bill repeals the existing section of K.S.A. 2024 Supp. 50-6,109a, thereby updating the legal framework surrounding scrap metal theft reduction in Kansas.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 23-3002, 23-3005, 60-2308
As Amended by Senate Committee: 23-3002, 23-3005, 60-2308
{As Amended by Senate Committee of the Whole}: 23-3002, 23-3005, 60-2308
{As Amended by House Committee of the Whole}: 23-3002, 23-3005, 60-2308
Enrolled: 50-6