SB 6190 Washington Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

Protecting critical infrastructure.

This bill requires Washington scrap metal businesses to implement strict tracking and verification for all transactions involving scrap metal. Businesses must collect detailed seller information (including photo ID, vehicle details, and a signed declaration affirming property isn't stolen), document transactions with photos of the metal, and digitally upload records to a state database. It prohibits cash payments over $30, mandates 5-year record retention, and restricts transactions with unverified sellers. The law directly affects scrap metal businesses and sellers of scrap metal, aiming to prevent theft of metal from critical infrastructure like power lines and utility sites.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 16, 2026 Last action Feb 26, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Bill Substitute Bill · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates scrap metal transaction rules to enhance security against stolen goods. It adds a requirement for sellers to provide photos of the metal and its markings, mandates that businesses digitally upload transaction data to a state database, and extends the retention period for video surveillance from 30 days to two years.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of required documentation for scrap metal transactions to include photographic evidence and digital reporting, applying to all scrap metal businesses in the state.
REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for sellers to provide photographs of the nonferrous metal and any identifiable markings on it.

Extended the required retention period for video surveillance recordings from 30 days to two years.

Added a new requirement for businesses to upload transaction data to a state database, replacing the previous rule that prohibited selling transaction records.

ENFORCEMENT

Added a mandate for scrap metal businesses to digitally upload transaction information to a Washington State Patrol-approved database.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
7
Key actions
2
Committee
2
Jan 29, 2026
Upper · Passed
Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 10:30 AM.
upper
Jan 27, 2026
Upper · Passed
Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Law & Justice at 8:00 AM.
upper
1 primary · 6 co-sponsors

Sponsors