CA AB 1218
deadCopper theft.
California · 2025-2026 Regular Session · lower
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Quick answers
Did CA AB 1218 pass?
No. CA AB 1218 did not pass — it was defeated or died in the legislative process. Latest recorded action (2026-02-02): From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
What is CA AB 1218 about?
Under existing law it is grand theft to steal copper materials valued at more than $950. A violation of this provision is punishable either as a misdemeanor or a felony by imprisonment in county jail and specified fines. This bill would make it a crime to unlawfully possess copper materials, as specified. The bill would define what it means to "unlawfully possess" copper materials to include possessing without documentation proving lawful possession. The bill would prescribe the information that constitutes proof of lawful possession, as specified, including the identity of the seller and the date of the transaction. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also prohibit a person from falsifying any record intending to show proof of lawful possession. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law prohibits any collector or dealer of metals to purchase certain junk metals, as specified, without first ascertaining that the seller legally possesses the materials. Existing law also requires the dealer to obtain evidence of the identity of the seller, including, but not limited to, the seller's name and address. This bill would require any collector or dealer of metals to ascertain the location from which the purchased material was obtained. Existing law makes it a crime for a person who is engaged in the salvage, recycling, purchase, or sale of scrap metal to possess certain items that have been stolen or obtained by theft or extortion, as specified, and requires that the person knew or reasonably should have known that the property was stolen or failed to report possession of the items, as specified. This bill would additionally prohibit a person who is engaged in the salvage, recycling, purchase, or sale of scrap metal, as specified, from possessing certain items knowing that those items were possessed without proof of lawful possession. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
Who sponsors CA AB 1218?
Soria is the primary sponsor of CA AB 1218.
Description
Under existing law it is grand theft to steal copper materials valued at more than $950. A violation of this provision is punishable either as a misdemeanor or a felony by imprisonment in county jail and specified fines. This bill would make it a crime to unlawfully possess copper materials, as specified. The bill would define what it means to "unlawfully possess" copper materials to include possessing without documentation proving lawful possession. The bill would prescribe the information that constitutes proof of lawful possession, as specified, including the identity of the seller and the date of the transaction. By expanding the scope of a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would also prohibit a person from falsifying any record intending to show proof of lawful possession. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law prohibits any collector or dealer of metals to purchase certain junk metals, as specified, without first ascertaining that the seller legally possesses the materials. Existing law also requires the dealer to obtain evidence of the identity of the seller, including, but not limited to, the seller's name and address. This bill would require any collector or dealer of metals to ascertain the location from which the purchased material was obtained. Existing law makes it a crime for a person who is engaged in the salvage, recycling, purchase, or sale of scrap metal to possess certain items that have been stolen or obtained by theft or extortion, as specified, and requires that the person knew or reasonably should have known that the property was stolen or failed to report possession of the items, as specified. This bill would additionally prohibit a person who is engaged in the salvage, recycling, purchase, or sale of scrap metal, as specified, from possessing certain items knowing that those items were possessed without proof of lawful possession. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.
- Introduced
- 2025-02-21
- Latest action
- 2026-02-02 — From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
- Bill type
- bill
- Last updated
- —
Subjects
Sponsors
- Soriaauthor
Committees
Not provided by source.
Action timeline
Newest first
2026-02-02
From committee: Filed with the Chief Clerk pursuant to Joint Rule 56.
committee-passage,failure
2026-01-31
Died pursuant to Art. IV, Sec. 10(c) of the Constitution.
failure
2026-01-13
In committee: Set, second hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-04-29
In committee: Set, first hearing. Hearing canceled at the request of author.
2025-03-25
Re-referred to Com. on PUB. S.
referral-committee
2025-03-24
From committee chair, with author's amendments: Amend, and re-refer to Com. on PUB. S. Read second time and amended.
amendment-introduction,amendment-passage,committee-passage,reading-1,reading-2,referral-committee
2025-03-24
Referred to Com. on PUB. S.
referral-committee
2025-02-24
Read first time.
reading-1
2025-02-22
From printer. May be heard in committee March 24.
2025-02-21
Introduced. To print.
introduction
Versions
Documents
- application/pdf
- application/pdf
- text/html
- application/pdf(no extracted text yet)
Votes
Not provided by source.
Related bills
No related bills recorded for this bill.
Official source
Attribution
Data from openstates_bulk_csv, retrieved 2026-07-24T01:34:27.960412Z
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