Bill > HB2629

This bill aims to protect critical infrastructure by strengthening regulations on scrap metal businesses and creating new penalties for damaging communication infrastructure. It mandates that scrap metal businesses maintain detailed records of all transactions involving nonferrous metals, including seller identification, transaction details, and a declaration that the property is not stolen. The bill also restricts cash payments for scrap metal, requiring payments to be made via electronic methods or nontransferable checks mailed later, with exceptions for small cash amounts or commercial accounts. Furthermore, it introduces significant civil penalties for scrap metal businesses that deal in stolen copper used in telecommunication cables, with repeated violations leading to license revocation. A new section defines and criminalizes the "destruction of critical communications infrastructure," which includes physical and cyber components of services like voice, video, and data, classifying it as a class C felony and allowing for civil lawsuits for damages. Finally, the bill updates the list of crimes included in various seriousness levels for sentencing purposes, adding "destruction of critical communications infrastructure" to the list.

Business and Industry

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=2629&Year=2025&Initiative=false