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SB 1646

Relating to criminal conduct involving the theft, damage, or destruction of copper or brass or involving the unauthorized possession of certain copper or brass material, to transactions of metal recycling entities involving certain copper or brass material, to training on identifying certain copper or brass material, and to studying the effect of certain regulations on incidents of theft of copper or brass material; creating criminal offenses; increasing criminal penalties; providing an administrative penalty.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Charlie Geren and 5 co-sponsors

Texas criminalizes copper/brass theft with enhanced penalties and requires recyclers to implement training and tracking for these materials to combat infrastructure theft.

Effective immediately
#crimes--againstproperty(i0175) #criminalprocedure--general(i0208) #publicsafetycommission(v8707) #publicsafety #departmentof(v0251) #recordsmanagement(s0205) #secondhandmetal(s0255) #staffdevelopment&training(s0317) #utilities--general(i0830) #utilities--telecommunications(i0828)
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Bill Summary · SB 1646

Legislative bill overview

SB 1646 creates new criminal offenses and increases penalties for theft, damage, or destruction of copper and brass materials in Texas. The bill also establishes new regulations for metal recycling entities handling copper and brass, requires training on identifying these materials, and mandates a study on how these regulations affect theft incidents.

Why is this important

Copper and brass theft has become a significant problem in Texas, affecting infrastructure, utilities, and property owners. The bill attempts to address this through stricter penalties and supply-chain controls at recycling facilities, which are often where stolen metal is converted to cash.

Potential points of contention

  • Recycling industry burden: New requirements and training obligations for metal recyclers may increase operational costs and administrative complexity, potentially affecting smaller businesses disproportionately
  • Theft definition scope: Depending on implementation details, broadly defined "unauthorized possession" could create legal ambiguity about what constitutes criminal conduct versus legitimate salvage or possession
  • Effectiveness uncertainty: The study requirement itself suggests uncertainty about whether regulations actually reduce theft, and penalties alone may not deter theft if recyclers can still illegally purchase stolen materials

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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