Dive Brief:

• California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill designed to thwart metal theft.
• The law requires all scrap metal recycling operations across the state to enroll in a regional theft alert system. The system will use alerts to report stolen metals within 100 miles of the business.
• The alert system is being used as a tool to prevent the purchase of stolen metals and will be utilized by recycling companies and law enforcement officers. 

Dive Insight:

The law was cleared the California Assembly by a 78-0 vote with one abstention, then got approval from the state Senate on a 33-1 vote. It is designed to make it far more difficult for criminals to steal metals and sell the stolen goods for scrap.

Theft of scrap metals is an ongoing issue across the country. In January, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) established a team of law enforcement personnel that will be working to combat metal theft. 

In March, the Michigan House approved a bill aimed at helping law enforcement officials to solve and prosecute metal theft cases. The bill requires scrap yards to shoot video of metals that are bought and sold. The seller will then be paid by check or money order.