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GeorgiaSB 402025-2026 Regular SessionSenate

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)

Signed by Governor

Regulated IndustriesJudiciaryGeneral Bill

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.

Recyclers face stricter registration approval rules

Beginning July 1, 2025, sheriffs may deny registration or renewal for a recycler-law felony conviction within the past five years. The law removes the former requirement of more than three such convictions. Where a business license is required, sheriffs may demand a current, valid license matching the registration address. Applicants must swear that the recycler’s registration or business license was not revoked in the past year. They must also swear that the registered agent had no recycler-law felony conviction while serving as an agent within five years.

Recyclers pay annual $200 registration fees

Beginning July 1, 2025, sheriffs charge recyclers $200 for each new registration and each annual renewal. Each fee sends $100 to the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association and $100 to the county’s general fund.

Public gains access to recycler registrations

Beginning July 1, 2025, recycler registration records enter the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Secondary Metals Recycler Registry. Law enforcement, local government staff, and the public can use these records.

Scrap sellers face cash payment limits

Beginning July 1, 2025, covered recycler purchases have a $100 cash limit per transaction. Each registered location may conduct no more than two covered transactions with the same seller per day. Recyclers cannot pay cash for used, detached catalytic converters or coils, used utility wire, used communications copper, copper wire, or batteries. These restrictions do not apply to transactions between business entities. The cash-limit provision identifies the applicable code version as the one in effect on January 1, 2026.

Shredding waste carries new disposal surcharge

Beginning July 1, 2025, host local governments must impose a $1-per-ton surcharge, or its volume equivalent, at privately operated municipal disposal facilities. It covers nonmetallic waste from shredding motor vehicles or household appliances. The surcharge is added to other negotiated charges or fees.

Tighter converter purchase rules for recyclers

Beginning July 1, 2025, Georgia covers used, detached vehicle exhaust parts containing catalyst metal that controls emissions. Parts tested, certified, and labeled for reuse under federal rules are excluded. Recyclers buying covered converters cannot claim source-based exemptions for charities, officials, estate or court representatives, court-ordered sales, or qualifying commercial vendors. Recyclers must electronically send the Georgia Bureau of Investigation records of converter or nonferrous converter-part purchases from qualifying commercial vendors or other recyclers. Records must include the seller’s name and address, transaction date, time and place, and converter count or pounds of catalyst metal.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Jason Anavitarte

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Gooch

    Republican • Senate

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

  • Randy Robertson

    Republican • Senate

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 • Other: 1

House vote • 4/2/2025

Agree to SAm to HSub

Yes: 91 • No: 63 • Other: 5

House vote • 3/27/2025

PASSAGE

Yes: 159 • No: 3 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 51 • No: 3 • Other: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2025

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/14/2025Senate

  3. Act 278

    5/14/2025

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2025Senate

  5. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    4/2/2025House

  7. House Third Readers

    3/27/2025House

  8. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/27/2025House

  9. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    3/18/2025House

  10. House Second Readers

    2/28/2025House

  11. House First Readers

    2/27/2025House

  12. Senate Third Read

    2/26/2025Senate

  13. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    2/26/2025Senate

  14. Senate Read Second Time

    2/19/2025Senate

  15. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/18/2025Senate

  16. Senate Read and Referred

    1/29/2025Senate

  17. Senate Hopper

    1/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 40/AP* (v11)

    PDF

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