That could be because copper theft has reached epidemic proportions in many states including Tennessee.

I personally have been witness to two instances.

One was a house I was showing and when we walked around back, the basement door had been kicked open, the copper water pipes cut loose with the water still on. Not surprisingly water was all over the basement and flowing out the door into the yard.

In my second instance I sold a house in a somewhat remote location. It was a foreclosure so naturally it was vacant. Before the closing thieves again kicked in the door but this time they went up, into the attic and cut all the electrical wiring loose. $8,000 dollars in damages for about 50 bucks worth of scrap copper.

Thankfully my Tennessee Association of Realtors is doing something about it along with homebuilders, law enforcement, and industry representatives.

Very soon state Senate Bill 2400 and House Bill 2344 will hopefully be passed in Tennessee.

It will require:

• Registration of scrap metal dealers
• Persons selling scrap metal must provide a valid photo ID along with a thumbprint.
• Scrap metal dealers will be required to keep records of each transaction including name, license plate number, and vehicle information for each seller of scrap metal
• Require scrap metal dealers to pay with a voucher instead of cash in an effort to create a paper trail and break the link between metal thefts and the illegal drug trade.

This bill has already passed the Tennessee Senate and is heading for the House floor soon where it is expected to pass with little or no opposition.