A new law aimed at cracking down on metal theft in Georgia puts more responsibility on scrap metal recyclers. On Tuesday, legislative representatives at the Columbus Copper Theft Task Force meeting shared changes to the law.

Beginning July 1st scrap metal recycling businesses will have to upload electronically the entire details of a transaction to a statewide database, the Sheriff's Office will issue permits to legitimate businesses and cash payments to metal sellers is no longer permitted there is a three day waiting period for a voucher payment.

Senator Renee Unterman who sponsored the legislation said she hopes the new law will put a stop to metal thieves destroying property.

“All the way from ripping up railroad ties to stealing shopping carts all the way to south Georgia and north Georgia with the chicken and poultry industry in south Georgia with irrigation systems,” said Senator Unterman.

As the new law tightens restrictions on scrap metal recyclers to make sure there's no market for stolen goodssome recyclers are worried the new stipulations could hurt legitimate business....