Bill aimed at copper thieves gets support

A bill that would hold copper thieves responsible for damages caused by the removal of wire and other nonferrous metal equipment has passed both chambers in the Montana Legislature with overwhelming support.

House Bill 463, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Bennett, R-Libby, follows up on a law passed with overwhelming support in 2009. That bill, sponsored by Sen. Jerry Black, R-Shelby, required scrap dealers to make a photocopy of a seller’s ID if a scrap transaction exceeded $50, and that dealers keep detailed records when purchasing nonferrous metals, such as copper and aluminum. The 2009 law also established a ScrapTheftAlert Web site to get the word out about thefts.

HB463, which passed in the Senate by 36-12 and the House by 93-7, was supported by the Montana Electric Cooperatives Association and its members. Flathead Electric Cooperative was the victim of copper thieves who took wiring from substations around 2009.

According to Flathead’s general manager, Ken Sugden, the Co-op had to pay to have fencing around a substation repaired, pay for a 3-4 person lineman crew to repair damage to electrical equipment, and account for lost time for other maintenance projects.

Last week, the Hungry Horse News reported about a 45-year-old Columbia Falls man charged with stealing wiring harnesses from heavy equipment and trucks at the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Co. lumber mill.

Law enforcement learned about Tim Bauer by looking at a photocopy of his driver’s license made at Pacific Recycling in Evergreen, where Bauer allegedly tried to sell the materials he’s charged with taking.