Senate panel backs study committee to review scrap‑metal theft and dealer statutes

The Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency gave Senate Bill 11‑28 a due‑pass recommendation on Jan. 21. The bill would establish a temporary legislative study committee to examine whether current statutes regulating scrap‑metal dealers deter crime, assess compliance costs to the lawful scrap industry, and recommend statutory changes by Dec. 1, 2026.

Nick Simonetta, testifying for the Arizona Scrap Recyclers Association, said a comprehensive overhaul of Title 44 in 2013 — developed with law enforcement and industry — improved oversight and reduced cash sales and anonymous transactions that once aided thieves. He described incremental adjustments made to address catalytic‑converter thefts and said the industry and law enforcement would benefit from a focused legislative review of remaining gaps and compliance burdens.

Committee members asked operational questions about how stolen items are identified and where thieves sell material; Simonetta said compliant dealers with photographic and ID requirements are poor markets for stolen material. Some senators also raised partisan‑balance concerns about study‑committee appointments; Simonetta said legislative leaders typically make such appointments and offered to meet with committee members to discuss appointment language.

A committee member moved SB 11‑28 with a due‑pass recommendation; the clerk reported the committee vote as 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 not voting.

The bill would repeal the study committee on Jan. 1, 2027, after submission of its findings to the governor and legislative leaders.