At a previous hearing, the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee heard SB 271 on sale of telecommunications equipment sponsored by Rep. McNamara and authored by Sen. Kock. The bill:
- Adds telecommunications network equipment (TNE) to the definition of valuable metal.
- Specifies requirements for the: (1) sale of TNE; and (2) purchase of TNE by a valuable metal dealer.
- Provides that a: (1) person who sells or attempts to sell TNE; or (2) valuable metal dealer who purchases or attempts to purchase TNE; 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 TNE; 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
On February 18, 2026, the Committee heard the bill for amend and vote. The Committee amended the bill to:
- Move crimes concerning valuable metal and TNE from IC 25 to IC 35.
- Remove penalty provisions relating to a person who attempts to sell TNE.
- Remove documentation requirements.
- Require a valuable metal dealer to set aside TNE for 30 calendar days.
- Remove civil forfeiture provisions.
The amended bill passed 13-0.
Read the bill at: https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2026/bills/senate/271