Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:549 Ratification Number:206 Act Number:105 Primary Sponsor:Reese Type of Legislation:GB Subject:Copper wire or pipe Companion Bill Number:3921 Date Bill Passed both Bodies:19930603 Computer Document Number:DKA/4286AL.93 Governor's Action:S Date of Governor's Action:19930611 Introduced Date:19930316 Date of Last Amendment:19930601 Last History Body:------ Last History Date:19930611 Last History Type:Act No. 105 Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Reese Type of Legislation:General Bill
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved
---- ------ ------------ ------------------------------ --- ------------
549 ------ 19930611 Act No. 105
549 ------ 19930611 Signed by Governor
549 ------ 19930610 Ratified R 206
549 Senate 19930603 Concurred in House amendment,
enrolled for ratification
549 House 19930602 Read third time, returned to
Senate with amendment
549 House 19930601 Amended, read second time
549 House 19930526 Recalled from Committee 25
549 House 19930414 Introduced, read first time, 25
referred to Committee
549 Senate 19930413 Amended, read third time,
sent to House
549 Senate 19930408 Amended, read second time,
ordered to third reading with
notice of general amendments
549 Senate 19930407 Committee Report: Favorable 11
with amendment
549 Senate 19930316 Introduced, read first time, 11
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
(A105, R206, S549)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 16-17-680, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE UNLAWFUL PURCHASE OR TRANSPORTATION OF COPPER WIRE OR PIPE, SO AS TO PROHIBIT THE PURCHASE OF COPPER WIRE, COPPER PIPE, COPPER BARS, OR COPPER SHEETING IN EXCESS OF TEN POUNDS WITHOUT PROPER IDENTIFICATION, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN IDENTIFICATION, AND TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES IMPOSED.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Unlawful purchase or transportation of copper wire revised
SECTION 1. Section 16-17-680 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
"Section 16-17-680. (A) It is unlawful to purchase copper wire, copper pipe, copper bars, or copper sheeting in excess of ten pounds from a person who is not a holder of a retail license or an authorized wholesaler or unless the purchaser obtains and can verify the name and address of the seller. A purchaser of copper wire, copper pipe, copper bars, or copper sheeting shall maintain a record containing the date of purchase, name and address of seller, weight or length, and size or other description of copper wire, copper pipe, copper bars, or copper sheeting purchased and amount paid for it. Records must be maintained and kept open for inspection by law enforcement officials or local and state governmental agencies during regular business hours. The records must be maintained for twelve months from the date of purchase.
(B) It is unlawful for a person to transport or have in his possession on highways of this State, in a vehicle other than a vehicle used in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of transporting copper wire, copper pipe, copper bars, or copper sheeting, an amount of copper wire, copper pipe, copper bars, or copper sheeting of an aggregate weight of more than twenty-five pounds, unless the person has in his possession:
(1) a bill of sale signed by:
(a) a holder of a retail license for a business engaged in the sale of copper wire, copper pipe, copper bars, or copper sheeting;
(b) an authorized wholesaler engaged in the sale of copper wire, copper pipe, copper bars, or copper sheeting; or
(c) a registered dealer in scrap metals; or
(2) a certificate of origin signed by the sheriff, or his designated representative, of the county in which the purchase was made.
The bill of sale or certificate of origin clearly must identify the material to which it applies and show the name and address of the seller, license plate of the vehicle in which the material is delivered to the purchaser, identified by license number, year, and state of issue, the name and address of the purchaser, the date of sale, and the type and amount of copper wire, copper pipe, copper bars, or copper sheeting purchased.
(C) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a:
(1) misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than two hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than thirty days for a first offense. This offense is triable in magistrate's court;
(2) misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, for a second offense;
(3) misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both, for a third or subsequent offense. For an offense to be considered a third or subsequent offense, only those offenses which occurred within a period of ten years, including and immediately preceding the date of the last offense shall constitute a prior offense within the meaning of this section.
(D) For purposes of this section, the only identification acceptable is:
(1) a valid South Carolina driver's license;
(2) a South Carolina identification card issued by the Department of Highways and Public Transportation;
(3) a valid driver's license from another state that contains the licensee's picture on the face of the license; or
(4) a valid military identification card."
Time effective
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.
Approved the 11th day of June, 1993.