Downloads
CS/HB 1323 — Metal Theft
by Criminal Justice Subcommittee and Reps. Drake and others (CS/SB 1324 by Commerce and Tourism Committee and Senator Norman)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Commerce and Tourism Committee (CM)
This bill amends s. 538.23, F.S., to increase penalties such that a secondary metals recycler who violates specified secondary metal recycler laws commits a felony of the third degree and that a third or subsequent violation of such provisions will be punished as a felony of the second degree.
This bill also amends s. 812.145, F.S., by defining an "electrical substation" as a facility that takes electricity from the transmission grid and converts it to a lower voltage so it can be distributed to customers in the local area on the local distribution grid through one or more distribution lines less than 69 kilovolts in size. Furthermore, the bill provides that anyone who removes copper or other nonferrous metals from an electrical substation site commits a felony of the first degree.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect October 1, 2012.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 107-6