Statewide Copper Wire Theft Law Takes Effect January 1, 2025

SAINT PAUL - The new statewide copper wire theft law requiring a license to sell scrap copper metal will take effect January 1, 2025, following a December 18 ruling by Ramsey County Chief Judge Sara Grewing who denied a temporary restraining order requesting to pause the law from being enacted.

Last month, Upper Midwest Chapter of Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc, filed a civil suit against the Minnesota Department of Commerce alleging the law would negatively impact the scrap metal industry. Attorney General Keith Ellison's officehas filed a motion for dismissal on behalf of the State of Minnesota and Department of Commerce, which is set for a hearing in February.

In the ruling, Judge Grewing said the harm cities face if the law was blocked "far outweighed" the consequences to the industry.

"This first-in-the-nation law holds accountable criminals who want to do harm in our community and removes the profitability from stolen copper," said Mayor Melvin Carter. "We applaud the court's decision to uphold this law, which ensures dealers can continue effectively operating while closing loopholes that incentivize crime."

The new legislationrequires anyone recycling scrap metal copperfor a profit to obtain a state-issued license, with licensed electricians and other trade and contracting groups exempt from having to get another state-issued license. Scrap metal, as defined in the law is "wire and cable commonly and customarily used by communication and electric utilities" and "copper, aluminum, or any other metal purchased primarily for its reuse or recycling value as raw metal, including metal that is combined with other materials at the time of purchase, but does not include a scrap vehicle."

Anyone can still recycle copper metal for free. The law also allows residents to continue collecting payment from recycling a mixed-metal itemthat has a small amount of copperwire without a license. The law also offers the first Friday in April and October for residents to bring in up to $25 worth of scrap copper wire without a license.

In recent years, the City of Saint Paul and communities across Minnesota have experienced rampant copper wire theft from streetlights, parks and community centers, and other private and public infrastructure. Last year on Christmas Eve, copper wire theft was a factor in the death of Saint Paul resident Steven Wirtz and his dog, who were hit by a vehicle while crossing a dark intersection.

In 2023, Saint Paul spent more than $1.2 million to address copper wire theft, often seeing the wire re-stolen within days. That figure is expected to be even higher this year. In Minneapolis, stolen copper wire has also strained their resources.

"Two of our most basic responsibilities as a city are making sure our residents stay safe and our streets stay well-lit," said Mayor Jacob Frey. "The past two years, Minneapolis has spent $545,000 replacing stolen copper wire-but this new law will help prevent this theft from happening in the first place, safeguarding not only our street infrastructure, but also the safety of everyone who drives, walks, or rides through our city."

The bill, championed by the City of Saint Paul, was authored by Senator Sandy Pappas and Representative Athena Hollins. Mayor Carter led with a joint letter representing 38 urban and rural Minnesota mayors eager to find a solution. Governor Tim Walz also advocated for the bill, saying in April, "targeting illegal sales is an approach that works," pointing to the success of legislation passed to curb catalytic converter theft, which has since shown an 80% decrease.

"We've seen the irreparable harm done to our community when our streets are darkened by copper wire theft," said Saint Paul Public Works Director Sean Kershaw. "This new legislation is an opportunity for us to address this crisis head-on."

For more information about streetlights and how Saint Paul is addressing copper wire theft, visit stpaul.gov/streetlights.

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