New California law targets copper theft with tougher rules and fines starting in 2026

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Crackdowns connected copper ligament theft are acceptable to summation successful the caller year.

On Monday, Governor Newsom signed AB 476 to grow existent authorities instrumentality and further discourage thieves-- requiring further documentation from metallic buyers and sellers.

Bruno's Iron & Metal successful southeast Fresno says it has already been going supra what's required by law.

"We were already signaling the name. We were already recording, who was doing the transaction connected our side, the amount, statement of the materials, photos of the materials, photos of the idiosyncratic selling it, thumb prints, signature of them acknowledging receipt," COO of Bruno's Iron & metal, Nicholas Tosi explained.

The measure volition marque it amerciable for radical to ain definite scrap metals similar parts from streetlights and postulation signals.

It besides increases fines for violations-- jumping to $5000 successful immoderate cases.

"It whitethorn deter immoderate radical but the biggest lever that needs to beryllium pulled is the enforcement and supporting instrumentality enforcement to spell aft these radical that are creating oregon committing these crimes," Tosi stated.

Back successful April, Fresno County passed its ain ordinance to combat the crime-- allowing sheriff's deputies to mention oregon apprehension those with implicit 10 pounds of stolen copper wire.

"We've seen a melodramatic decrease. Reports are down astir 60% truthful we're truly liking what we're seeing," Tony Botti with the sheriff's bureau said.

The sheriff's bureau says portion the caller instrumentality is simply a measurement successful the close direction, much needs to beryllium done.

"Taking it an other measurement and being capable to arrest, jailhouse and good people, that's a quality maker," Botti said.

State officials accidental AB 476 volition not spell into effect until January 1, 2026.

Both the sheriff's bureau and Bruno's Iron & Metal are pointing to AB 1218 arsenic a imaginable solution.

If passed adjacent year, it would beryllium amerciable to bargain much than $950 worthy of copper materials. A usurpation of AB 1218 could effect successful a misdemeanor oregon felony by imprisonment successful region jail.

For quality and upwind updates, travel Tiffany Olin connected Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.