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The Honorable Ron Calderon California State Senate State Capitol, Room 4088 Sacramento, CA 95814 SUBJECT: SB 691 (CALDERON) SCRAP METAL THEFT - SUPPORT Dear Senator Calderon: I SUPPORT your SB 691, as amended April 24, 2008, which imposes more rigorous requirements on recyclers and scrap-metal sellers and imposes significant penalties for violators. These amendments added by Assembly Member Joel Anderson will give law enforcement the extra tools needed to combat a rising crime in many areas. As you may already know, metal theft is increasing at an alarming rate. Theft of copper wiring from irrigation pumps disrupts agricultural operations, from utility lines disrupting service to customers potentially costing businesses untold losses and theft of materials from construction sites is causing delays and pushing up costs of development. Not even manhole covers are safe from thieves. SB 691 imposes additional requirements that make it more difficult for thieves to sell to recyclers and imposes stricter penalties for being caught. The bill requires recyclers to check the identification of sellers accepting only government issued identification, obtain thumbprints, ascertain the origins of the materials and keep a written description of the materials purchased. Cash payments are limited and closely monitored. SB 691 increases penalties for recyclers who violate the law. It also gives law enforcement more tools to catch and prosecute scrap-metal thieves.