STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2674

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2627

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 2627, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COPPER PURCHASES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require any purchase of copper by a scrap dealer or recycler to be made by check payable to the seller, and to provide penalties for a violation therefor.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Reynolds Recycling.

     This measure also requires that:

     (1)  At the time of sale of the copper, the seller present to the scrap dealer or recycler a valid photo identification card or license of the seller issued by a federal or state government authorized to issue valid identifications; and

     (2)  The check be mailed to the address shown on the identification, or in the alternative, the check is picked up personally by the seller at the place of business of the scrap dealer or recycler.

     The intent of this measure is to deter the sale of stolen copper to scrap dealers and recyclers by prohibiting cash transactions and identifying the seller in the process of the sales transaction.  Sales of stolen copper, typically copper wire, commonly occur when a copper thief or a confederate walks onto the premises of a scrap dealer or recycler to sell copper for cash.  This measure would deter that practice.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2627, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair