Tom’s anti-crime bills signed into law

OLYMPIA – The governor today signed two bills sponsored by Sen. Rodney Tom, D-Bellevue, to cut down on drug-related theft by regulating scrap metal sales, and toughen the penalty for intentional animal abandonment.

“Law enforcement has linked metal theft to methamphetamine use, and we have witnessed a huge increase recently,” said Tom, who sponsored Senate Bill 5312 to cut down on metal theft. “Criminals steal copper wire and other valuable metals and exchange them for cash to pay for their drug habit. This new law creates standards for exchanging scrap metal for cash, and will help cut down on drug crime.”

Tom’s bill requires that scrap metal recycling companies keep an accurate transaction record, refuse to accept material stripped of identifying information such as serial numbers and refuse to accept metal from customers known to have a theft- or methamphetamine-related criminal record. Customers exchanging material worth more than $30 cannot be paid in cash, and metal recyclers are required to mail checks to customers’ homes, to ensure the collection of accurate contact information.

Tom also sponsored SB 5227, to toughen penalties for animal abandonment. The new law fully defines animal abandonment, so prosecutors can more easily bring charges against those who abandon animals. It also increases the punishment to up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine, from 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

“This law sends the message that animal abandonment is not OK in Washington,” said Tom. “Abandonment is a horrible crime that doesn’t just affect animals – local governments use resources investigating and prosecuting people who abandon animals, and dealing with the implications of abandoned animals being hit by cars along our roads and highways. It’s tragic this happens at all, because local pet shelters are happy to take in pets owners can no longer care for.”

Both bills passed the Legislature with broad bipartisan support. SB 5312 takes effect immediately, and SB 5227 takes effect on July 22.

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