Sen. Chuck Wiger: Scrap Metal Law Needs Adjustment to Protect Citizens

While the budget remains the number one priority this session, I wanted to highlight another important issue I’ve been working on—car theft.

Throughout the metro area, we have a problem of cars being stolen and sold for scrap metal.

Under current law, if a vehicle is less than six years old the person bringing in the vehicle to be scrapped does not need to present a title. Instead, they sign an affidavit stating they own the car.

What is happening all too often now is a vehicle is stolen and scrapped before it is even reported to the police. And at that point, there is nothing the police can do. The car is destroyed and the thieves have run off with their money. We need a better system that will help catch more thieves, which in turn will prevent more thefts.

My bill provides that, when a scrap dealer purchases a motor vehicle to dismantle or destroy, they are required to report the following information:

• The vehicle’s license plate and VIN
• Make, model and color of the vehicle
• Seller’s name and driver’s license number
• The receipt and bill of sale
• Title number, but if a title is absent the bill of sale can be substituted
• Any applicable hold period and the expiration date of the hold
• The dealer must immediately report if a conditional sale is canceled

A scrap dealer is also required to maintain the title on the vehicle for three years before destroying the title.

This bill will deter criminals from scrapping newer cars that are stolen, and help law enforcement track and investigate reported stolen cars. The police and the industry need to be able to share information to help investigate.

We have been working with scrap metal businesses as well as law enforcement agencies to work out a compromise. It has been a valuable process to have all sides at the table working together to find a solution to this problem. I look forward to continuing the conversation with all the stakeholders as we settle on a solution that protects citizens, while at the same time not over-burdening our small businesses.

As always, if you have thoughts, questions or concerns on my scrap metal bill, or any other issue, please reach out to my office. I’m located in 205 Capitol, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55155. My email address is sen.chuck.wiger@senate.mn and my phone number is 651-296-6820.

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