IndianaIndiana law will restrict communications wire sales to dealers
Starting July 1, 2026, sellers may sell communications wire to valuable metal dealers only if they meet one of four listed qualifications.
What it does
People may sell communications wire to a valuable metal dealer only if they meet one of four listed qualifications, such as working for a provider or showing ownership papers.
When a dealer buys wire from a retail seller using ownership papers, the dealer must keep an electronic copy for two years.
A dealer commits a Level 6 felony if the dealer knowingly or intentionally breaks the chapter’s rules and buys stolen valuable metal.
Argument forRequiring a listed work connection, license, or ownership record could help keep stolen communications wire out of scrap sales.
Argument againstPeople who lack one of the listed qualifications could be unable to sell wire to dealers, even if they lawfully own it.
More detail
A person may sell or try to sell communications wire to a valuable metal dealer only through one of four listed seller qualifications. The rule covers fiber and cable with at least six twisted wire pairs used in wireline or wireless communications, whether or not it has sheathing. It also covers this wire after its coating has been removed by smelting, burning, or melting. The seller must be a provider or utility worker or agent; a worker or agent of an Indiana-authorized business that normally handles salvaged wire; an amateur radio license holder; or a retail seller with qualifying ownership papers. The retail seller’s bill of sale, receipt, or ownership certificate must be signed by a telecommunications company employee, use company letterhead, and state when and how the seller acquired the wire. The rule takes effect July 1, 2026.
A dealer who buys communications wire from a retail seller using ownership papers must keep an electronic copy of those papers. This applies to valuable metal dealers buying communications wire from retail sellers under the ownership-paper qualification. The ownership papers must meet the requirements for a retail seller’s sale. The dealer must keep the copy for two years.
A valuable metal dealer commits a Level 6 felony by knowingly or intentionally failing to follow the chapter and buying stolen valuable metal. This applies to valuable metal dealers covered by the chapter. Both knowing or intentional noncompliance and the purchase of stolen valuable metal are required. The provision takes effect July 1, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 5Signed by the Governor Mike BraunBecame Law
- Mar 5Public Law 142Major
- Mar 3Signed by the SpeakerMajor
- Feb 27Signed by the President Pro TemporeMajor
- Vote recorded SB 271 - McNamara. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded SB 271 - Koch. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 27Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- Feb 27CCR # 1 filed in the SenateMinor
- Feb 27Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 418: yeas 94, nays 2
- Feb 27Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 323: yeas 50, nays 0
- Feb 27CCR # 1 filed in the HouseMinor
- Feb 25Motion to dissent filedMinor
- Feb 25Returned to the Senate with amendmentsMinor
- Feb 25Senate conferees appointed: Koch, Taylor G
- Feb 25Representative McNamara added as advisor
- Feb 25Representative Lindauer added as conferee
- Feb 25Representative Lindauer removed as advisor
- Feb 25Representative McNamara removed as conferee
- Feb 25House advisors appointed: Soliday, Lindauer, Gore
- Feb 25House conferees appointed: McNamara, Pierce M
- Feb 25Senate dissented from House amendments
- Feb 25Senate advisors appointed: Schmitt, Randolph Lonnie M
- Feb 24Third reading: passed; Roll Call 354: yeas 76, nays 21Passed House
- Vote recorded SB 271 - McNamara - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 23Amendment #1 (Zimmerman) prevailed; voice voteMajor
- Feb 23Amendment #2 (Zimmerman) motion withdrawnMajor
- Feb 23Second reading: amended, ordered engrossedMinor
- Feb 19Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 28First reading: referred to Committee on Courts and Criminal CodeMinor
- Jan 23Referred to the HouseMinor
- Jan 22House sponsor: Representative McNamara
- Vote recorded SB 271 - Koch - 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 22Senator Schmitt added as coauthor
- Jan 22Third reading: passed; Roll Call 62: yeas 44, nays 1Passed Senate
- Jan 22Cosponsor: Representative Soliday
- Jan 15Senator Freeman added as second author
- Jan 15Senator Pol added as third author
- Jan 15Second reading: ordered engrossedMinor
- Jan 13Committee report: amend do pass, adoptedMinor
- Jan 8First reading: referred to Committee on Corrections and Criminal LawMinor
- Jan 8Authored by Senator KochIntroduced
Criminal JusticeTechnology