IndianaSB 271Second Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2026)Senate

Telecommunications wire and valuable metal dealers.

Sponsored By: Eric Koch (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Summary

Adds telecommunications network wire to the definition of "valuable metal" for purposes of Indiana law governing valuable metal dealers. Moves existing criminal penalties concerning valuable metals to the criminal code. Provides that a person may not sell or attempt to sell, and a valuable metal dealer may not purchase or attempt to purchase, telecommunications network wire in any amount unless specified conditions are satisfied. Provides that a person who suffers a pecuniary loss as a result of a violation of Indiana law governing valuable metal dealers may bring a civil action for specified damages against the person who caused the loss.

corrections and criminal lawthe housecourts and criminal code

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

People losing money gain metal-law remedies

Beginning July 1, 2026, people who lose money because of valuable-metal rule violations can sue whoever caused the loss. A court may award up to three times the actual loss. Recovery can also include court costs, a reasonable lawyer’s fee, specified travel and time expenses, and other reasonable collection costs. The amount depends on the proven loss and the case outcome.

Metal dealers face new felony penalties

Beginning July 1, 2026, a valuable-metal dealer’s failure to follow Indiana’s valuable-metal rules is a Class A infraction. A dealer commits a Level 6 felony by knowingly or intentionally breaking those rules and buying stolen valuable metal. The felony offense is called concealing a valuable metal purchase. Both the rule violation and the stolen-metal purchase are required for this felony.

More metal dealers and materials face rules

Beginning July 1, 2026, Indiana’s valuable-metal rules cover telecommunications network wire and small motor vehicle parts. Covered wire includes fiber and cables with six or more twisted pairs used for wireline or wireless service, with or without sheathing. Qualifying wire remains covered when its protective coating is removed by smelting, burning, or melting. Dealers include people and businesses that buy and resell valuable metal at permanent locations or through traveling operations. Covered purchases involve something given in exchange for metal, but purchases between scrap metal processing facilities are excluded.

Wire sellers and dealers face restrictions

Beginning July 1, 2026, people cannot sell or attempt to sell any amount of telecommunications network wire without a listed exception. Valuable-metal dealers also cannot buy or attempt to buy it without an exception. Exceptions cover authorized workers or agents of telecommunications providers, broadband providers, and public utilities. Qualifying workers or agents of businesses that normally handle salvaged wire must provide an Indiana certificate of existence or good standing. Federally licensed amateur radio operators also qualify. Retail sellers need a bill of sale, purchase receipt, or company-signed certificate proving lawful ownership. The certificate must use company letterhead and explain when and how the wire was acquired. Dealers buying under this retail-seller exception must keep an electronic copy of the ownership document for two years.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Eric Koch

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Aaron Freeman

    Republican • Senate

  • Daryl Schmitt

    Republican • Senate

  • Edmond Soliday

    Republican • House

  • Rodney Pol

    Democratic • Senate

  • Wendy McNamara

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 264 • No: 24

House vote • 2/27/2026

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House

Yes: 94 • No: 2

Senate vote • 2/27/2026

Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate

Yes: 50 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 76 • No: 21

Senate vote • 1/22/2026

Third reading: passed

Yes: 44 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor

    3/5/2026Senate
  2. Public Law 142

    3/5/2026Senate
  3. Signed by the Speaker

    3/3/2026House
  4. Signed by the President Pro Tempore

    2/27/2026Senate
  5. Signed by the President of the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  6. CCR # 1 filed in the Senate

    2/27/2026Senate
  7. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the House; Roll Call 418: yeas 94, nays 2

    2/27/2026House
  8. Rules Suspended. Conference Committee Report 1: adopted by the Senate; Roll Call 323: yeas 50, nays 0

    2/27/2026Senate
  9. CCR # 1 filed in the House

    2/27/2026House
  10. Motion to dissent filed

    2/25/2026Senate
  11. Returned to the Senate with amendments

    2/25/2026House
  12. Senate conferees appointed: Koch, Taylor G

    2/25/2026Senate
  13. Representative McNamara added as advisor

    2/25/2026House
  14. Representative Lindauer added as conferee

    2/25/2026House
  15. Representative Lindauer removed as advisor

    2/25/2026House
  16. Representative McNamara removed as conferee

    2/25/2026House
  17. House advisors appointed: Soliday, Lindauer, Gore

    2/25/2026House
  18. House conferees appointed: McNamara, Pierce M

    2/25/2026House
  19. Senate dissented from House amendments

    2/25/2026Senate
  20. Senate advisors appointed: Schmitt, Randolph Lonnie M

    2/25/2026Senate
  21. Third reading: passed; Roll Call 354: yeas 76, nays 21

    2/24/2026House
  22. Amendment #1 (Zimmerman) prevailed; voice vote

    2/23/2026House
  23. Amendment #2 (Zimmerman) motion withdrawn

    2/23/2026House
  24. Second reading: amended, ordered engrossed

    2/23/2026House
  25. Committee report: amend do pass, adopted

    2/19/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed Senate Bill (S)

  • Enrolled Senate Bill (S)

  • Introduced Senate Bill (S)

  • Senate Bill (H)

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