JEFFERSON CITY — Yesterday (6-26), legislation sponsored by Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, combating scrap metal and copper theft, was signed by the governor.

Scrap metal and copper theft is a very real problem throughout the state. Last Christmas, more than $10,000 worth of copper wire was stolen from a Christmas light display in Monett. In 2010, air conditioner units, containing copper, were stolen from more than a dozen churches in Greene and Lawrence counties, costing one church as much as $30,000. In 2010 and 2011, there were more than 50 incidents of wire theft in Greene County. The thefts caused phone service and cell tower interruptions to thousands of citizens and the Greene County Sheriff's Department worked about 300 hours of overtime on these investigations.

“Metal theft continues to affect many of our communities and costs our neighbors, businesses, homeowners and churches,” Sen. Sater said. “We need to give law enforcement the tools necessary to go after these criminals and our courts the means to punish those making it easier for them to commit their crimes.”

Senate Bill 157 creates additional documentation requirements for scrap metal purchases, such as the gender, birth date and photograph of the seller and establishes new penalties for dealers who knowingly buy stolen metal. The bill also adds catalytic converters to the types of scrap metal items requiring documentation.

“SB 157 will help our communities fight scrap metal and copper theft and will level the playing field for law-abiding metal dealers by going after those breaking the law,” Sen. Sater said. “This is a big step in the right direction but we need to continue looking for ways to protect property owners and businesses from metal theft.”

Senate Bill 157 will take effect Aug. 28. To keep up to date with Sen. Sater during the interim, please visit his website at www.senate.mo.gov/sater.