Tennessee Implements Scrap Metal Theft Prevention Program

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Commissioner Leslie Newman named the members that will serve on an advisory committee for the department’s scrap metals registration program.

The advisory committee is as follows: Don Denbo will be representing the industry, Bruce Hancock will be representing homebuilders, Martin, Tenn. Police Chief David Moore and Sumner County Sheriff Bob Barker will be representing law enforcement and Jamie Qualk will be the public committee member.

The advisory committee will hold its first meeting on July 2 in Nashville.

Tennessee’s Department of Commerce and Insurance will be promulgating rules and regulations regarding development of a uniform scrap metal marking system, uniform terminology to describe the types of metals most commonly sold as scrap and to register scrap metal dealers.

The new law, which aims to prevent theft involving metals, requires scrap metal dealers to register with the Department of Commerce and Insurance. Also under the law, scrap metal dealers will be required to check the identification and obtain a thumbprint of individuals selling scrap metal.

The Department is preparing to issue public necessity rules to allow the registration process to begin in conjunction with the July 1 effective date of some of the act’s provisions and prior to the October 1 registration requirement.

Once the rules and regulations are adopted, forms will be available for the program at www.tennessee.gov/commerce/boards/scrap.

Source: Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance