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LouisianaSB 4962026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

SECONDHAND DEALERS: Provides for the regulation of copper purchases by scrap metal dealers or recyclers. (8/1/26)

Sponsored By: Patrick Connick (Republican)

Signed by Governor

CommerceCommerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Scrap sellers need fewer payment documents

Beginning August 1, 2026, dealers paying by check or loadable payment card must still verify the seller's identity. They must use a valid driver's license or similar means. The law removes the requirement to check the seller's address using a current utility bill. Dealers also no longer need to keep a copy of that bill.

Copper sellers lose cash payment option

Beginning August 1, 2026, dealers cannot pay cash for covered copper, brass, or aluminum-copper air-conditioning coils. Payment must be made after five business days by check or a loadable payment card. Checks must be payable to the seller's name and address. For other scrap metals, cash remains allowed only for transactions of $300 or less. Above $300, dealers must use a check or loadable card, which they can provide at the sale.

More scrap sales face dealer rules

Beginning August 1, 2026, Louisiana expands the copper and brass items covered by scrap dealer rules. Covered items include specified power inverters, bus bars, copper wire or cable, and construction or utility items. The law also narrows the exemption for business-to-business purchases made by scrap operators. Sellers must be listed operators, recycling facilities, service providers, or utilities to qualify. Other commercial businesses or their agents qualify when the business creates scrap during its normal work.

Scrap dealers collect more seller records

Beginning August 1, 2026, covered copper or brass transactions require a photo, clear thumbprint, and identification copy. Dealers must collect these from the person selling or delivering the material. Accepted identification includes valid state driver's licenses, passports, military identification, and government or U.S. Postal Service identification. Licensed dealers must upload photos of all prior-day copper and brass purchases before noon daily to a law-enforcement-accessible database. Dealers must also continue providing required transaction information to the local police chief or sheriff.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Patrick Connick

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 139 • No: 6

House vote • 5/26/2026

Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 88, nays 6. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

Yes: 88 • No: 6

House vote • 5/18/2026

Reported with amendments

Yes: 14 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/15/2026

Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

Yes: 37 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by the Governor. Becomes Act No. 774.

    6/1/2026Senate

  2. Effective date 8/1/2026.

    6/1/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House.

    5/29/2026House

  4. Sent to the Governor by the Secretary of the Senate.

    5/29/2026Senate

  5. Enrolled. Signed by the President of the Senate.

    5/28/2026Senate

  6. Read third time by title, amended, roll called on final passage, yeas 88, nays 6. Finally passed, ordered to the Senate.

    5/26/2026House

  7. Received from the House with amendments.

    5/26/2026Senate

  8. Scheduled for floor debate on 05/26/2026.

    5/25/2026House

  9. Read by title, amended, passed to 3rd reading.

    5/20/2026House

  10. Reported without Legislative Bureau amendments.

    5/19/2026House

  11. Reported with amendments (14-0). Referred to the Legislative Bureau.

    5/18/2026House

  12. Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on Commerce.

    4/21/2026House

  13. Received in the House from the Senate, read by title, lies over under the rules.

    4/20/2026House

  14. Senate floor amendments read and adopted. Read by title and passed by a vote of 37 yeas and 0 nays; ordered reengrossed and sent to the House. Motion to reconsider tabled.

    4/15/2026Senate

  15. Read by title. Committee amendments read and adopted. Ordered engrossed and passed to third reading and final passage.

    4/13/2026Senate

  16. Reported with amendments.

    4/8/2026Senate

  17. Read second time by title and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and International Affairs.

    4/1/2026Senate

  18. Rules suspended. Introduced in the Senate. Read by title and placed on the Calendar for a second reading.

    3/31/2026Senate

Bill Text

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