The bill amends the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Act to enhance law enforcement's ability to investigate violations and establishes criminal penalties for certain infractions. It grants the attorney general jurisdiction over the act's implementation and enforcement, allowing for the employment of agents, investigation, and issuance of subpoenas. Notably, the bill authorizes law enforcement officers to conduct investigations and requires that investigative reports be submitted to the attorney general, regardless of local actions taken. The bill also repeals previous provisions that allowed municipalities to enact conflicting ordinances regarding scrap metal regulations.

Additionally, the bill establishes two funds: the Scrap Metal Theft Reduction Fee Fund and the Scrap Metal Data Repository Fund, both to be administered by the attorney general and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, respectively. These funds will support the administration of the act and the maintenance of a central database for information related to scrap metal transactions. The bill also outlines civil penalties for scrap metal dealers who violate the act, with penalties ranging from $100 to $5,000 per violation, and specifies that any entity maintaining the database cannot charge scrap metal dealers for compliance.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 50-6, 75-6102
As Amended by House Committee: 50-6