The Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee heard SB 271 on sale of telecommunications equipment authored by Sen. Koch. The bill does the following:
- Specifies documentation requirements for the: (1) sale of telecommunications network equipment; and (2) purchase of telecommunications network equipment by a valuable metal dealer.
- Provides that a: (1) person who sells or attempts to sell telecommunications network equipment; or (2) valuable metal dealer who purchases or attempts to purchase telecommunications network equipment; in violation of these requirements commits a Class A infraction.
- Provides that a person who: (1) knowingly or intentionally fails to comply with Indiana law governing valuable metal dealers; and (2) sells stolen telecommunications network equipment; commits a Level 6 felony.
- Allows seizure and civil forfeiture of a vehicle that is used in the commission of a theft of valuable metal under specified circumstances.
- Provides that a person who suffers a pecuniary loss as a result of a violation of Indiana law governing valuable metal dealers may bring a civil action for specified damages against the person who caused the loss.
The Committee amended the bill by consent to specify the manner in which telecommunications network equipment may be sold to a valuable metal dealer.
The Indiana Broadband and Technology Association, Indiana Cable and Broadband Association, Recycled Materials Association, and Spectrum testified in support of the bill. The amended bill passed 7-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/271