California Bill Tightens Scrap-Metal Rules, Raises Theft Penalties

Nov. 3, 2025 – California lawmakers advanced a bipartisan bill to tighten oversight of junk dealers and metal recyclers amid rising thefts of public infrastructure materials.

Existing law required dealers to record each sale and purchase, keep ownership statements, and obtain valid identification before payment. The new measure adds stricter recordkeeping rules, mandating that dealers log the time, amount paid, and employee handling each transaction and obtain a signed ownership statement from sellers.

The bill also broadened restrictions on possessing stolen public property. Alongside items such as fire hydrants and manhole covers, it added streetlights, poles, and related fixtures to the list of materials that cannot be held without written certification from the owning agency.