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Read. Follow. Verify.Oregon expands telecommunications property protections and tightens scrap metal business regulations
Last action · April 6, 2026: Chapter 67, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.Sponsors: Kim Wallan and 8 others
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What This Bill Does
Oregon House Bill 4140 expands the definition of criminal mischief in the first degree to include telecommunications providers and updates regulations for scrap metal businesses. Effective January 1, 2027, scrap metal businesses must participate in a scrap metal theft alert system, verify ownership, and delay cash payments for at least three business days.
Scrap metal businesses face new mandatory tracking systems and record-keeping rules, while sellers experience delayed payments and mandatory identity verification procedures.
- Oregon law regulates scrap metal transactions and criminal mischief to deter metal theft targeting public utilities and telecommunications infrastructure. context
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Scrap metal businesses
Scrap metal businesses must register for theft alert systems, verify commercial property ownership, maintain detailed transaction records, and withhold payments for three business days.
Telecommunications providers
Telecommunications providers gain expanded first-degree criminal mischief protections for their infrastructure and property.
Law enforcement agencies
Law enforcement agencies are authorized to register with theft alert systems, inspect business records on demand, and approve the release of undelivered checks.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What new requirements apply to scrap metal businesses under HB 4140?
How are payments handled for scrap metal transactions?
What is the penalty for a scrap metal business violating these provisions?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Current status: Signed into law.
Procedural history
19 actions- Apr 6, 2026HouseChapter 67, (2026 Laws): Effective date January 1, 2027.
- Mar 31, 2026HouseGovernor signed.
- Mar 5, 2026SenatePresident signed.
- Mar 4, 2026HouseSpeaker signed.
- Mar 3, 2026SenateThird reading. Carried by Thatcher, Prozanski. Passed.
- Mar 2, 2026SenateCarried over to 03-03 by unanimous consent.
Show 13 earlier actions
- Feb 27, 2026SenateSecond reading.
- Feb 27, 2026SenateRecommendation: Do pass the A-Eng. bill.
- Feb 25, 2026SenateWork Session held.
- Feb 23, 2026SenatePublic Hearing held.
- Feb 20, 2026SenateReferred to Judiciary.
- Feb 20, 2026SenateFirst reading. Referred to President's desk.
- Feb 20, 2026HouseThird reading. Carried by Rieke Smith. Passed.
- Feb 19, 2026HouseSecond reading.
- Feb 18, 2026HouseRecommendation: Do pass with amendments and be printed A-Engrossed.
- Feb 16, 2026HouseWork Session held.
- Feb 11, 2026HousePublic Hearing held.
- Feb 2, 2026HouseReferred to Judiciary.
- Feb 2, 2026HouseFirst reading. Referred to Speaker's desk.
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Shift to electronic and delayed payment methods in scrap metal trade
The legislation effectively eliminates immediate cash transactions for scrap metal by mandating electronic payments or delayed mailed checks.
Connected Entities
Sources
olis.oregonlegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance75How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy30Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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