GeorgiaSB 402025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Secondary Metals Recyclers; the definition of the term "used, detached catalytic converters" to said article; provide for applicability

Sponsored By: Jason Anavitarte (Republican), Steve Gooch (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Randy Robertson (Republican)

Became Law

Regulated IndustriesJudiciaryGeneral Bill

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.

Stronger penalties for illegal metal trade

Starting July 1, 2025, penalties for illegal metal deals are tougher. A first offense is a misdemeanor; a second is a high and aggravated misdemeanor. A third offense, or cases with damage over $1,500, is a felony with 1 to 10 years in prison. Victims can sue for full value, repairs, litigation costs, and attorney fees. Each unlawfully possessed converter counts as a separate offense. Illegally possessed converters and vehicles used to carry them are contraband and can be seized. Civil forfeiture of a seized vehicle is paused while related criminal charges are pending, unless the owner agrees otherwise.

New recycler registration fees and checks

Beginning July 1, 2025, recyclers must pay $200 to register and $200 each year to renew. For new registrations, the registered agent must get a criminal background check and fingerprints (up to $75 paid by the business). Applicants must list their GBI database customer ID and sign a sworn statement about no recent license revocation and no metal‑theft felony by the registered agent in the past five years while serving. The sheriff may require a current local business license (where applicable) and can deny or refuse renewal for prior revocations, false information, or more than three felony convictions under this article in five years; a registered agent’s recent felony under the article can trigger revocation. Sheriffs may delegate registration work to staff, and local governments may contract to provide registration services and be reimbursed.

Tighter payment rules for metal sales

Beginning July 1, 2025, recyclers face strict pay rules. Cash is capped at $100 per transaction, and no more than two transactions per seller per day at each location. No cash is allowed for catalytic converters or coils, utility or communications copper, copper wire, or batteries. Checks, transfers, or vouchers must be made out only to the recorded seller. Recyclers cannot cash or redeem checks or electronic payments on site. Vouchers must include key details, can be redeemed only by the named seller (or their heirs/representative), cannot be redeemed for three days if handed over at purchase, and expire after six months.

Only registered recyclers can buy converters

Beginning July 1, 2025, only registered secondary metals recyclers may buy, solicit, or advertise for used, detached catalytic converters. You may not buy, possess, transport, or sell a used, detached converter unless you are authorized and have the required licenses and paperwork. The law defines a "used, detached catalytic converter" as a vehicle exhaust part with catalyst metal used for emissions control. It excludes converters that are tested, certified, and labeled for reuse under federal Clean Air Act rules.

Exemptions for business and official sellers

Beginning July 1, 2025, some purchases are exempt from these recycler rules. Exempt sellers include registered charities, law enforcement acting officially, trustees or executors, court‑ordered sales, and industrial or commercial vendors selling metal they generate in the ordinary course of business (if they are not recyclers). Business‑to‑business transactions are also exempt. These exemptions do not cover used, detached catalytic converters.

Report converter purchases to state investigators

Beginning July 1, 2025, recyclers must keep and electronically send records of each used, detached converter purchase to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. This applies to buys from industrial accounts and from other recyclers. Reports must list the seller’s name and address, the date, time, and place, and the number of converters or pounds of catalyst metal.

New $1 per ton waste surcharge

Beginning July 1, 2025, if a private company runs a local solid waste facility, the host local government must add a $1.00 per ton surcharge (or volume equivalent). It applies to construction or demolition waste, inert waste, and nonmetallic waste from shredding vehicles or appliances. This surcharge is on top of other charges.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Lauren McDonald III
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 350 • No: 73

Senate vote • 4/2/2025

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE AS AMENDED

Yes: 49 • No: 4

House vote • 4/2/2025

Agree to SAm to HSub

Yes: 91 • No: 63

House vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 159 • No: 3

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 51 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

Effective Date
7/1/2025
Senate Date Signed by Governor
5/14/2025Senate
Act 278
5/14/2025
Senate Sent to Governor
4/10/2025Senate
Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended
4/2/2025Senate
House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub
4/2/2025House
House Third Readers
3/27/2025House
House Passed/Adopted By Substitute
3/27/2025House
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
3/18/2025House
House Second Readers
2/28/2025House
House First Readers
2/27/2025House
Senate Third Read
2/26/2025Senate
Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute
2/26/2025Senate
Senate Read Second Time
2/19/2025Senate
Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
2/18/2025Senate
Senate Read and Referred
1/29/2025Senate
Senate Hopper
1/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

SB 40/AP* (v11)
PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation