23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 1 - Senate Bill 60 By: Senators Hatchett of the 50th, Ginn of the 47th, Albers of the 56th, Robertson of the 29th, Kennedy of the 18th and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 14 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, 1 relating to secondary metals recyclers, so as to provide that it shall be illegal for certain2 persons to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell or attempt to purchase, possess, obtain, or sell3 used, detached catalytic converters, used utility wire, or used communications copper; to4 provide for definitions; to regulate and limit the payment allowed by secondary metals5 recyclers; to require certain registrations; to provide that certain used, detached catalytic6 converters, used utility wire, and used communications copper and the vehicles transporting7 them are contraband; to remove an exemption; to provide for penalties; to provide for8 reporting; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates and applicability; to9 repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.10 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:11 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 2 - PART I 12 SECTION 1-1.13 Article 14 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to14 secondary metals recyclers, is amended by revising Code Section 10-1-350, relating to15 definitions, as follows:16 "10-1-350.17 As used in this article, the term:18 (1) 'Aluminum property' means aluminum forms designed to shape concrete.19 (2) 'Burial object' means any product manufactured for or used for identifying or20 permanently decorating a grave site, including, without limitation, monuments, markers,21 benches, and vases and any base or foundation on which they rest or are mounted.22 (3) 'Business license' means a business license, an occupational tax certificate, and other23 document required by a county or municipal corporation and issued by the appropriate24 agency of such county or municipal corporation to engage in a profession or business.25 (4) 'Coil' means any copper, aluminum, or aluminum-copper condensing coil or26 evaporation coil including its tubing or rods. The term shall not include coil from a27 window air-conditioning system, if contained within the system itself, or coil from an28 automobile condenser.29 (5) 'Copper property' means any copper wire, copper tubing, copper pipe, or any item30 composed completely of copper.31 (6) 'Copper wire' means any wires, cables, bus bars, or waveguides containing any 32 portion of copper, whether or not coated with insulation.33 (6)(7) 'Deliverer' means any individual who takes or transports the regulated metal34 property to the secondary metals recycler.35 (7)(8) 'Ferrous metals' means any metals containing significant quantities of iron or steel.36 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 3 - (8)(9) 'Law enforcement officer' means any duly constituted peace officer of the State37 of Georgia or of any county, municipality, or political subdivision thereof.38 (9)(10) 'Nonferrous metals' means stainless steel beer kegs and metals not containing39 significant quantities of iron or steel, including, without limitation, copper, brass,40 aluminum, bronze, lead, zinc, nickel, and alloys thereof.41 (10)(11) 'Person' means an individual, partnership, corporation, joint venture, trust,42 association, or any other legal entity.43 (11)(12) 'Personal identification card' means a current and unexpired driver's license or44 identification card issued by the Department of Driver Services or a similar card issued45 by another state, a military identification card, or a current work authorization issued by46 the federal government, which shall contain the individual's name, address, and47 photograph.48 (12)(13) 'Purchase transaction' means a transaction in which the secondary metals49 recycler gives consideration in exchange for regulated metal property.50 (14) 'Registered agent' means an individual who has been listed on a secondary metals51 recycler registration form at a Georgia sheriff's department as the affiant and completes52 and executes the registration form in accordance with Code Section 10-1-359.1.53 (13)(15) 'Regulated metal property' means any item composed primarily of any ferrous54 metals or nonferrous metals and includes aluminum property, copper property, and55 catalytic converters but shall not include aluminum beverage containers, used beverage56 containers, or similar beverage containers.57 (14)(16) 'Secondary metals recycler' means any person who is engaged, from a fixed58 location or otherwise, in the business in this state of paying compensation for regulated59 metal property that has served its original economic purpose, whether or not engaged in60 the business of performing the manufacturing process by which regulated metal property61 is converted into raw material products consisting of prepared grades and having an62 existing or potential economic value.63 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 4 - (15)(17) 'Seller' means the rightful owner of the regulated metal property or the64 individual authorized by the rightful owner of the regulated metal property to conduct the65 purchase transaction.66 (18) 'Used communications copper' means utility-grade copper that is commonly used67 by a lawful provider of telecommunications services for providing telecommunications68 services, including, without limitation, utility-grade wires or cables, bus bars, and69 waveguides.70 (19) 'Used utility wire' means any wire or cable containing aluminum or copper, or any71 ferrous metals or other nonferrous metals, that is commonly used by a utility that72 provides electric or telecommunications service."73 SECTION 1-2.74 Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 10-1-351, relating to verifiable75 documentation required, as follows:76 "10-1-351.77 (a) No secondary metals recycler shall purchase any coil unless it is purchased from:78 (1) A contractor licensed pursuant to Chapter 14 of Title 43 or by another state that79 provides a copy of such valid license at the time of the purchase transaction that is80 scanned or photocopied by the secondary metals recycler or whose scanned or81 photocopied license is on file with the secondary metals recycler;82 (2) A seller with verifiable documentation, such as a receipt or work order, indicating83 that such coil is the result of a replacement of condenser coils or a heating or84 air-conditioning system performed by a contractor licensed pursuant to Chapter 14 of85 Title 43; or86 (3) A secondary metals recycler who provides proof of registration pursuant to Code87 Section 10-1-359.1 and a signed statement stating that the required information88 concerning the purchase transaction involving such coil was provided by such secondary89 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 5 - metals recycler to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation pursuant to Code Section 90 10-1-359.5.91 (b) No secondary metals recycler shall purchase any copper wire which appears to have92 been exposed to heat, charred, or burned in an attempt to remove insulation surrounding93 it unless it is purchased from:94 (1) A contractor licensed pursuant to Chapter 14 of Title 43 or by another state that95 provides a copy of such valid license at the time of the purchase transaction that is96 scanned or photocopied by the secondary metals recycler or whose scanned or97 photocopied license is on file with the secondary metals recycler;98 (2) A seller with a copy of a police report showing that such seller's real property was99 involved in a fire; or100 (3) A secondary metals recycler who provides proof of registration pursuant to Code101 Section 10-1-359.1 and a signed statement stating that the required information102 concerning the purchase transaction involving such copper wire was provided by such103 secondary metals recycler to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation pursuant to Code104 Section 10-1-359.5.105 (c) No secondary metals recycler shall purchase a catalytic converter unless such catalytic106 converter is:107 (1) Attached to a vehicle; or108 (2) Purchased from:109 (A) A used motor vehicle dealer or used motor vehicle parts dealer licensed pursuant110 to Chapter 47 of Title 43 or by another state that provides a copy of such valid license111 at the time of the purchase transaction that is scanned or photocopied by the secondary112 metals recycler or whose scanned or photocopied license is on file with the secondary113 metals recycler;114 (B) A new motor vehicle dealer that provides a copy of a valid business license at the115 time of the purchase transaction that is scanned or photocopied by the secondary metals116 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 6 - recycler or whose scanned or photocopied business license is on file with the secondary 117 metals recycler;118 (C) A motor vehicle repairer that provides a copy of a valid business license at the time119 of the purchase transaction that is scanned or photocopied by the secondary metals120 recycler or whose scanned or photocopied business license is on file with the secondary121 metals recycler;122 (D) A manufacturer or distributor of catalytic converters that provides a copy of a valid123 business license at the time of the purchase transaction that is scanned or photocopied124 by the secondary metals recycler or whose scanned or photocopied business license is125 on file with the secondary metals recycler;126 (E) A seller with:127 (i) Verifiable documentation, such as a receipt or work order, indicating that the128 catalytic converter is the result of a replacement of a catalytic converter performed by129 a used motor vehicle dealer, new motor vehicle dealer, or motor vehicle repairer.130 Such documentation shall include a notation as to the make, model, and year of the131 vehicle in which such catalytic converter was replaced; and132 (ii) A copy of a certificate of title or registration showing ownership of or interest in133 the vehicle in which the catalytic converter was replaced; or134 (F) A secondary metals recycler who provides proof of registration pursuant to Code135 Section 10-1-359.1 and a signed statement stating that the required information136 concerning the purchase transaction involving such catalytic converter was provided137 by such secondary metals recycler to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation pursuant to138 Code Section 10-1-359.5.139 (d)(1) As used in this subsection, the term 'used, detached catalytic converter' means 140 motor vehicle exhaust system parts that are used for controlling the exhaust emissions141 from motor vehicles and that contain a catalyst metal, but shall not include a catalytic142 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 7 - converter that has been tested, certified, and labeled for reuse in accordance with143 applicable federal Clean Air Act regulations, as may from time to time be amended.144 (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to purchase or to solicit or advertise for the145 purchase of a used, detached catalytic converter, or any nonferrous metal parts of a146 catalytic converter, unless such person is a registered secondary metals recycler in147 accordance with Code Section 10-1-359.1 and in full compliance with all requirements148 prescribed by this article.149 (3) It shall be unlawful for any person to buy, possess, transport, or sell a used, detached150 catalytic converter, or any nonferrous metal parts of a catalytic converter, unless such151 person is authorized to buy, possess, transport, or sell catalytic converters pursuant to152 subsection (c) of this Code section and is in possession of the licenses, registrations, or153 other documentation required by subsection (c) of this Code section.154 (4) Each unlawfully possessed or obtained used, detached catalytic converter shall be155 considered a separate offense."156 SECTION 1-3.157 Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 10-1-353, relating to record of158 transaction, false statements, and penalty for making false statement, as follows:159 "10-1-353.160 (a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this Code section, a secondary metals recycler161 shall maintain a legible record of all purchase transactions. Such record shall include the162 following information:163 (1) The name and address of the secondary metals recycler;164 (2) The date of the transaction;165 (3) The weight, quantity, or volume and a description of the type of regulated metal166 property purchased in a purchase transaction. For purposes of this paragraph, the term167 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 8 - 'type of regulated metal property' shall include a general physical description, such as 168 wire, tubing, extrusions, or castings;169 (4) A digital photograph or photographs or a digital video image or images of the170 regulated metal property which shows the regulated metal property in a reasonably clear171 manner;172 (5) The amount of consideration given in a purchase transaction for the regulated metal173 property and a copy of the check or voucher or documentation evidencing the cash or 174 electronic funds transfer given as consideration for such purchase transaction;175 (6) A signed statement from the seller stating that such person is the rightful owner of176 the regulated metal property or has been authorized to sell the regulated metal property177 being sold;178 (7) A signed statement from the seller stating that he or she understands that: 'A179 secondary metals recycler is any person who is engaged, from a fixed location or180 otherwise, in the business in this state of paying compensation for regulated metal181 property that has served its original economic purpose, whether or not engaged in the182 business of performing the manufacturing process by which regulated metal property is183 converted into raw material products consisting of prepared grades and having an existing184 or potential economic value. No ferrous metals, nonferrous metals, aluminum property,185 copper property, or catalytic converters (aluminum beverage containers, used beverage186 containers, or similar beverage containers are exempt) may be purchased by a secondary187 metals recycler unless such secondary metals recycler is registered pursuant to Article 14188 of Chapter 1 of Title 10 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated';189 (8) A scanned or photocopied copy of a valid personal identification card of the seller190 and of the deliverer, if such person is different from the seller;191 (9) The type of and distinctive number from the personal identification card of the seller192 and of the deliverer, if such person is different from the seller;193 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 9 - (10) The name and date of birth of the seller and of the deliverer, if such person is 194 different from the seller;195 (11) A photograph, videotape, or digital recording depicting a recognizable facial image196 of the seller and of the deliverer, if such person is different from the seller, employing197 technology allowing the image to be retained in electronic storage and in a transferable198 format;199 (12) The vehicle license tag number or vehicle identification number, state of issue, and200 the make, model, and color of the vehicle used to deliver the regulated metal property to201 the secondary metals recycler; and202 (13) A scanned or photocopied copy of the verifiable documentation, reports, licenses,203 certificates, and registrations required pursuant to Code Sections 10-1-351 and 10-1-352.204 (b) A secondary metals recycler shall maintain or cause to be maintained the information205 required by subsection (a) of this Code section for not less than two years from the date of206 the purchase transaction.207 (c) When the regulated metal property being purchased is a vehicle, the secondary metals208 recycler shall:209 (1) If Code Section 40-3-36 is applicable, purchase such vehicle in compliance with such210 Code section and shall not be required to maintain a record of the purchase transaction211 as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section or to provide such record to the Georgia212 Bureau of Investigation pursuant to Code Section 10-1-359.5; or213 (2) If Code Section 40-3-36 is not applicable, maintain a record of such purchase214 transaction as provided in subsection (a) of this Code section and provide such record to215 the Georgia Bureau of Investigation pursuant to Code Section 10-1-359.5.216 (d) It shall be a violation of this article to sign the statement required by either217 paragraph (6) or (7) of subsection (a) of this Code section knowing it to be false, and such218 violation shall subject the seller to the civil and criminal liability provided in Code219 Section 10-1-359.2."220 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 10 - SECTION 1-4. 221 Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 10-1-355, relating to conditions and222 limitations on payments for regulated metal property and exception for transaction between223 business entities, as follows:224 "10-1-355.225 (a) A secondary metals recycler shall pay only by check, electronic funds transfer, cash, 226 or voucher for regulated metal property and shall make any such payment as specifically227 provided for in this Code section.228 (b) Any check, electronic funds transfer, or voucher shall be payable only to the person229 recorded as the seller of the regulated metal property to the secondary metals recycler.230 (c) Any voucher shall be provided to the seller at the time of the purchase transaction or231 mailed to the seller at the address indicated on the personal identification card of the seller232 presented at the time of such transaction. If the voucher is provided to the seller at the time233 of the purchase transaction and not mailed to the seller, the secondary metals recycler shall234 not redeem the voucher for three days from the date of the purchase transaction. The235 voucher shall include the date of purchase, name of the seller, the amount paid for the236 regulated metal property, a detailed description of the regulated metal property purchased,237 information as to whether the voucher was mailed or provided at the time of the purchase238 transaction, the first date on which the voucher may be redeemed, and the date on which239 the voucher expires. The voucher may only be redeemed for cash by the person whose240 name appears on the voucher as the seller or by such person's heirs or legal representative.241 If a voucher is not redeemed by the person whose name appears on the voucher as the seller242 or by such person's heirs or legal representative within six months of the date of the243 transaction, the voucher shall expire and the secondary metals recycler shall not be required244 to honor the voucher after the expiration date.245 (d) No secondary metals recycler shall:246 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 11 - (1) Pay to any seller more than $100.00 in cash for any transaction or complete more247 than two transactions per seller, per day, per registered secondary metals recycler248 location;249 (2) Pay cash to any seller for used, detached catalytic converters or coils;250 (3) Pay cash to any seller for used utility wire;251 (4) Pay cash to any seller for used communications copper;252 (5) Pay cash to any seller for copper wire; or253 (6) Pay cash to any seller for a battery.254 (d)(e) A secondary metals recycler shall be prohibited from: (1) redeeming or cashing any255 check or electronic funds transfer paid to a seller for regulated metal property; and (2)256 providing or permitting any mechanism on the premises of the secondary metals recycler257 for the redemption or cashing of any check or electronic funds transfer.258 (e)(f) The provisions of this Code section shall not apply to any transaction, other than a259 transaction related to used, detached catalytic converters, between business entities."260 SECTION 1-5.261 Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 10-1-358, relating to purchases of262 regulated metal property exempted from application of article, as follows:263 "10-1-358.264 This article shall not apply to purchases of regulated metal property, other than used,265 detached catalytic converters, from:266 (1) Organizations, corporations, or associations registered with the state as charitable,267 philanthropic, religious, fraternal, civic, patriotic, social, or school-sponsored268 organizations or associations or from any nonprofit corporations or associations;269 (2) A law enforcement officer acting in an official capacity;270 (3) A trustee in bankruptcy, executor, administrator, or receiver who has presented proof271 of such status to the secondary metals recycler;272 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 12 - (4) Any public official acting under judicial process or authority who has presented proof 273 of such status to the secondary metals recycler;274 (5) A sale on the execution, or by virtue, of any process issued by a court if proof thereof275 has been presented to the secondary metals recycler; or276 (6) A manufacturing, industrial, or other commercial vendor that generates or and sells277 regulated metal property in the ordinary course of its business, provided that such vendor278 is not a secondary metals recycler."279 SECTION 1-6.280 Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 10-1-359.1, relating to registration281 of secondary metals recycler, electronic data base, authority of sheriff, and penalty for282 violation, as follows:283 "10-1-359.1.284 (a) It shall be unlawful for any secondary metals recycler to purchase regulated metal285 property in any amount without being registered pursuant to this Code section. If the286 secondary metals recycler is a person other than an individual, such person shall register287 with the sheriff of each county in which the secondary metals recycler maintains a place288 of business. If the secondary metals recycler is an individual, he or she shall register with289 the sheriff of the county in which he or she resides or if such individual is a nonresident of290 this state, he or she shall register with the sheriff of the county in Georgia where he or she291 primarily engages or intends to primarily engage in business as a secondary metals292 recycler. The secondary metals recycler shall declare on a form promulgated by the293 Secretary of State and provided by the sheriff that such secondary metals recycler is294 informed of and will comply with the provisions of this article. The forms and information295 required for such registration shall be promulgated by the Secretary of State. The sheriff296 shall register the secondary metals recycler and shall keep a record of each registration.297 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 13 - Each registration shall be valid for a 12 month period beginning January 1, 2024, and shall298 be renewed annually by January 1 of each year.299 (b) The record of each registration shall be entered into an electronic data base accessible300 statewide state wide. Such data base shall be established through coordination with the301 Secretary of State and shall be searchable by all law enforcement agencies in this state.302 (c) The sheriff shall be authorized to:303 (1) Assess and require payment of a reasonable registration fee prior to registering the304 secondary metals recycler, not to exceed $200.00 for a new registration and an annual305 registration renewal for a secondary metals recycler;306 (2) If applicable, require a secondary metals recycler to submit a current and valid307 business license in the county or municipality that is associated with the address on the308 registration form prior to approving the registration or registration renewal;309 (3) Require the registered agent of a secondary metals recycler to submit to a criminal310 background check and fingerprinting for a new registration with the costs paid by the311 secondary metals recycler in an amount not to exceed $75.00;312 (4) Deny the new registration or registration renewal of a secondary metals recycler if313 such person's registration has been revoked in another Georgia county, information314 submitted on the registration form has been determined to be invalid or false, or such315 person has been convicted of a metal theft offense under this Code section more than316 three times in a five-year period;317 (5) Revoke the registration of a secondary metals recycler's registered agent if the318 registered agent has been convicted of a felony in the previous five years under this319 article;320 (6) Require secondary metals recyclers to provide on the registration form the customer321 identification number for the current data base contractor maintained by the Georgia322 Bureau of Investigation;323 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 14 - (7) Require a secondary metals recycler to submit a signed and sworn statement that such324 person has not had such secondary metals recycler's registration or business license325 revoked during the previous year and that the registered agent has not been convicted of326 a metal theft offense in the previous year;327 (2)(8) Delegate to personnel in the sheriff's office the registration of secondary metals328 recyclers and entering into the data base of the records of such registrations; and329 (3)(9) Enter into contracts with the governing authority of a county, municipality, or330 consolidated government for such governing authority to provide for the registration of331 secondary metals recyclers and the entering into the data base of the records of such332 registrations by other law enforcement agencies or by staff of the governing authority.333 Any such contract shall provide for reimbursement to such governing authority for the334 registrations or entry of the records of such registrations into the data base.335 (d) A secondary metals recycler's registered agent shall be ineligible to obtain a new336 registration or registration renewal if such person is under indictment for a felony offense337 for violation of this article or has been convicted of a felony in the past five years under338 this article.339 (d)(e) Any secondary metals recycler convicted of violating this Code section shall be340 guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature."341 SECTION 1-7.342 Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 10-1-359.2, relating to penalties for343 violations, as follows:344 "10-1-359.2.345 (a) Except as provided for in subsection (d)(e) of Code Section 10-1-359.1, any person346 who buys or sells regulated metal property in violation of any provision of this article:347 (1) For a first offense, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor;348 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 15 - (2) For a second offense, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated 349 nature; and350 (3) For a third or subsequent offense or when such regulated metal property is unlawfully 351 obtained and results in property damage exceeding $1,500.00, shall be guilty of a felony352 and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor353 more than ten years.354 Each unlawfully possessed or obtained used, detached catalytic converter, as such term is355 defined in subsection (d) of Code Section 10-1-351, shall be considered a separate offense356 under this Code section.357 (b) Any person who buys or sells regulated metal property in violation of any provision358 of this article shall be liable in a civil action to any person who was the victim of a crime359 involving such regulated metal property for the full value of the regulated metal property,360 any repairs and related expenses incurred as a result of such crime, litigation expenses, and361 reasonable attorneys' fees."362 SECTION 1-8.363 Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 10-1-359.3, relating to forfeiture364 and items declared contraband, as follows:365 "10-1-359.3.366 (a) As used in this Code section, the term:367 (1) 'Crime' means:368 (A) Theft by taking in violation of Code Section 16-8-2, theft by conversion in369 violation of Code Section 16-8-4, or theft by receiving stolen property in violation of370 Code Section 16-8-7 if the subject of the theft was regulated metal property;371 (B) Criminal damage to property in the first degree in violation of paragraph (2) of372 subsection (a) of Code Section 16-7-22; or373 (C) A criminal violation of this article.374 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 16 - (2) 'Proceeds' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-13-49. 375 (3) 'Property' shall have the same meaning as set forth in Code Section 16-13-49.376 (b) The following are declared to be contraband, and no person shall have a property right377 in them:378 (1) Any property which is, directly or indirectly, used or intended for use in any manner379 to facilitate a crime and any proceeds derived or realized therefrom; and 380 (2) Any weapon possessed, used, or available for use in any manner to facilitate a crime;381 and382 (3) Any used, detached catalytic converter, as such term is defined in subsection (d) of383 Code Section 10-1-351, possessed in violation of subsection (d) of Code Section384 10-1-351 and any vehicle used in the transportation of such used, detached catalytic385 converter.386 (c) Any property subject to forfeiture pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section shall387 be forfeited in accordance with the procedures set forth in Code Section 16-13-49388 Chapter 16 of Title 9."389 SECTION 1-9.390 Said article is further amended by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 10-1-359.5,391 relating to required information from secondary metals recyclers and role of Georgia Bureau392 of Investigation, as follows:393 "(a)(1) Each secondary metals recycler shall provide to the Georgia Bureau of394 Investigation or its designee for each purchase transaction which takes place on or after395 July 1, 2015, all of the information required by subsection (a) of Code Section 10-1-353,396 except for the amount of consideration given in a purchase transaction for the regulated397 metal property specified in paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of such Code section, and a398 statement as to whether such secondary metals recycler's registration or business license399 has been revoked, suspended, or canceled in the previous year. A secondary metals400 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 17 - recycler who maintains on file with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or its designee 401 a copy of the statement forms such secondary metals recycler requires each seller to sign402 pursuant to paragraphs (6) and (7) of subsection (a) of Code Section 10-1-353 may satisfy403 the requirements of such paragraphs by providing to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation404 or its designee a copy of the individual seller's signature and shall not be required to405 provide the actual statement signed by each seller, provided the actual statements are406 maintained by the secondary metals recycler pursuant to subsection (b) of Code Section407 10-1-353 and available for inspection pursuant to Code Section 10-1-354. The408 information required to be provided by the secondary metals recyclers to the Georgia409 Bureau of Investigation or its designee pursuant to this subsection shall be provided410 electronically.411 (2) Each secondary metals recycler shall electronically submit to the Georgia Bureau of 412 Investigation a record of the receipt of each purchase of a used, detached catalytic413 converter as defined in subsection (d) of Code Section 10-1-351, or any nonferrous metal414 parts of a catalytic converter, from an industrial account or a secondary metals recycler.415 Such report shall include:416 (A) The name and address of the seller;417 (B) The date, time, and place of the transaction; and418 (C) The number of used, detached catalytic converters or pounds of catalyst metal419 purchased."420 PART II421 SECTION 2-1.422 Said article is further amended by revising Code Section 10-1-355, relating to conditions and423 limitations on payments for regulated metal property and exception for transaction between424 business entities, as follows:425 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 18 - "10-1-355. 426 (a) A secondary metals recycler shall pay only by check, electronic funds transfer, cash, 427 or voucher for regulated metal property and shall make any such payment as specifically428 provided for in this Code section.429 (b) Any check, electronic funds transfer, or voucher shall be payable only to the person430 recorded as the seller of the regulated metal property to the secondary metals recycler.431 (c) Any voucher shall be provided to the seller at the time of the purchase transaction or432 mailed to the seller at the address indicated on the personal identification card of the seller433 presented at the time of such transaction. If the voucher is provided to the seller at the time434 of the purchase transaction and not mailed to the seller, the secondary metals recycler shall435 not redeem the voucher for three days from the date of the purchase transaction. The436 voucher shall include the date of purchase, name of the seller, the amount paid for the437 regulated metal property, a detailed description of the regulated metal property purchased,438 information as to whether the voucher was mailed or provided at the time of the purchase439 transaction, the first date on which the voucher may be redeemed, and the date on which440 the voucher expires. The voucher may only be redeemed for cash by the person whose441 name appears on the voucher as the seller or by such person's heirs or legal representative.442 If a voucher is not redeemed by the person whose name appears on the voucher as the seller443 or by such person's heirs or legal representative within six months of the date of the444 transaction, the voucher shall expire and the secondary metals recycler shall not be required445 to honor the voucher after the expiration date.446 (d) No secondary metals recycler shall:447 (1) Pay to any seller more than $100.00 in cash for any transaction or complete more448 than two transactions per seller, per day, per registered secondary metals recycler449 location;450 (2) Pay cash to any seller for used, detached catalytic converters or coils;451 (3) Pay cash to any seller for used utility wire;452 23 LC 28 0558 S. B. 60 - 19 - (4) Pay cash to any seller for used communications copper;453 (5) Pay cash to any seller for copper wire; or454 (6) Pay cash to any seller for a battery.455 (e)(d) A secondary metals recycler shall be prohibited from: (1) redeeming or cashing any456 check or electronic funds transfer paid to a seller for regulated metal property; and (2)457 providing or permitting any mechanism on the premises of the secondary metals recycler458 for the redemption or cashing of any check or electronic funds transfer.459 (f)(e) The provisions of this Code section shall not apply to any transaction, other than a460 transaction related to used, detached catalytic converters, between business entities."461 PART III462 SECTION 3-1.463 This part and all of Part I of this Act except Section 1-4 shall become effective on July 1,464 2023, and shall apply to all transactions occurring on and after such date. Section 1-4 of this465 Act shall become effective on January 1, 2024, and shall apply to all transactions occurring466 on and after such date. Part II of this Act shall become effective on January 1, 2026, and467 shall apply to all transactions occurring on and after such date, provided that Part II of this468 Act shall not affect the prosecution of any crimes for conduct under the previous law while469 such law was effective and shall not abate any prosecutions thereunder.470 SECTION 3-2.471 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed. 472