SB 782

SENATE BILL 782
      C2, E1  6lr2943
  CF HB 1100
     By: Senator Jackson
     Introduced and read first time: February 6, 2026
     Assigned to: Finance
     Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
     Senate action: Adopted
     Read second time: March 18, 2026
  CHAPTER ______
1 AN ACT concerning
2Telecommunications Infrastructure – Protections
3 FOR the purpose of specifying that certain documentation may establish lawful authority
4      to sell certain telecommunications equipment as junk or scrap metal; requiring
5      certain junk dealers, scrap metal processors, and antique dealers to register and
6      provide    a    description    including    certain  information     of purchased
7      telecommunications equipment with a certain law enforcement official; prohibiting
8      certain junk dealers, scrap metal processors, and antique dealers from purchasing
9      telecommunications equipment other than by check mailed to the seller’s address;
10      prohibiting the sale or disposal of certain telecommunications equipment within a
11      certain period; prohibiting certain individuals from destroying telecommunications
12      infrastructure in a certain manner; and generally relating to telecommunications
13      equipment and infrastructure.
14 BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
15Article – Business Regulation
16Section 17–1001(a) and (f)(2) and (f)(1)(ii)9. and (2)
17Annotated Code of Maryland
18(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
19 BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
20Article – Business Regulation
21Section 17–1001(f)(1)(ii)8. and 9. 17–1009(d)
22Annotated Code of Maryland
23(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
     EXPLANATION: CAPITALS INDICATE MATTER ADDED TO EXISTING LAW.
  [Brackets] indicate matter deleted from existing law.
  Underlining indicates amendments to bill.
  Strike out indicates matter stricken from the bill by amendment or deleted from the law by
  amendment.
  *sb0782*
2SENATE BILL 782
1 BY adding to
2      Article – Business Regulation
3      Section 17–1001(f)(1)(ii)9. and (m) and 17–1010.1
4      Annotated Code of Maryland
5      (2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
6 BY adding to
7      Article – Criminal Law
8      Section 6–305.1
9      Annotated Code of Maryland
10      (2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement)
11SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
12 That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
13Article – Business Regulation
14 17–1001.
15(a)   In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
16(f)   (1)   “Junk” or “scrap metal” includes:
17(ii)   the following used articles, made of either ferrous or nonferrous
18 metal:
198.      cell tower batteries; [and]
209.
  TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT THAT INCLUDES
21 ANY OTHER USED ARTICLES OWNED BY A TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, AS
22 DEFINED IN § 6–305.1 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE, INCLUDING:
23A.      ANTENNAE;
24B.      BURNED WIRES;
25C.      BUSBARS;
26D.      CELL TOWER BATTERIES;
27E.      FIBER OPTIC AND COPPER CABLES;
28F.      POWER INVERTERS;
  SENATE BILL 782  3
1G.
  MATERIALS WITH IDENTIFIABLE MARKERS THAT
2 INDICATE OWNERSHIP BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY; AND
3H.    SMALL CELL FACILITIES; AND
4[9.] 10.      any other used articles owned by a public utility
5 including:
6A.    guardrails;
7B.    manhole covers;
8C.    metal light poles;
9D.    tree grates;
10E.    water meters; and
11F.    street signs.
12(2)   “Junk” or “scrap metal” does not include beverage cans or food cans.
13 17–1009.
14(d)    (1)   A junk dealer or scrap metal processor may not barter, buy, exchange,
15 or accept from a person any junk or scrap metal unless the junk dealer or scrap metal
16 processor keeps records and makes entries in them in accordance with this subtitle.
17(2)  A junk dealer or scrap metal processor may not purchase a catalytic
18 converter from an individual unless the individual, at the time of purchase, provides
19 identification as:
20(i)    a licensed automotive dismantler and recycler or scrap metal
21 processor; or
22(ii)   an agent or employee of a licensed commercial enterprise.
23(3)  (I)    A junk dealer or scrap metal processor may not purchase a
24 cemetery urn, grave marker, or any other item listed under § 17–1001(f)(1)(ii) of this
25 subtitle from an individual unless the individual, at the time of purchase, provides
26 appropriate authorization from a relevant business or unit of federal, State, or local
27 government OR FROM AN INDIVIDUAL WITH AUTHORIZATION UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH
28 (II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH specifically authorizing the individual to conduct the
29 transaction.
4SENATE BILL 782
1(II)
  FOR A PURCHASE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
2 SOLD AS JUNK OR SCRAP METAL, APPROPRIATE AUTHORIZATION UNDER THIS
3 SUBSECTION INCLUDES A BILL OF SALE, RECEIPT, LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION, OR
4 OTHER DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE THAT THE SELLER HAS LAWFUL AUTHORITY TO
5 SELL THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT.
6      (M)  “TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT” MEANS AN ITEM THAT AN
7 INDIVIDUAL KNOWS OR REASONABLY SHOULD KNOW TO ORDINARILY BE USED BY,
8 OR BELONG TO, A TELEPHONE, TELEGRAPH, INTERNET, OR OTHER WIRELESS
9 COMMUNICATION COMPANY.
10 17–1010.1.
11      (A) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO ALL JUNK DEALERS, SCRAP METAL
12 PROCESSORS, AND ANTIQUE DEALERS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE.
13      (B)     (1)   EACH JUNK DEALER, SCRAP METAL PROCESSOR, OR ANTIQUE
14 DEALER SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION WHO PURCHASES TELECOMMUNICATIONS
15 EQUIPMENT SHALL REGISTER WITH THE SHERIFF OR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT
16 OFFICIAL DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE
17 BUSINESS OF THE JUNK DEALER, SCRAP METAL PROCESSOR, OR ANTIQUE DEALER
18 IS LOCATED A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
19 EQUIPMENT.
20(2)   THE DESCRIPTION SHALL INCLUDE:
21(I)    THE DATE AND TIME OF PURCHASE;
22(II)   THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SELLER; AND
23(III) THE LICENSE TAG NUMBER OF ANY VEHICLE USED.
24      (C)     A JUNK DEALER, SCRAP METAL PROCESSOR, OR ANTIQUE DEALER
25 SUBJECT TO THIS SECTION WHO PURCHASES TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT
26 MAY PURCHASE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ONLY BY ISSUING A CHECK
27 THAT IS MAILED TO THE SELLER’S ADDRESS.
28      (D)  TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE
29 DISPOSED OF FOR A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF PURCHASE.
30      (E)     A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION:
31(1)IS SUBJECT TO REVOCATION OF ANY STATE JUNK LICENSE HELD
32 BY THE PERSON; AND
  SENATE BILL 782  5
1(2)
  IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND, ON CONVICTION, IS SUBJECT
2 TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $2,000.
3Article – Criminal Law
4 6–305.1.
5      (A)      (1)   IN THIS SECTION THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS
6 INDICATED.
7(2)
  “TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY” MEANS A COMPANY THAT
8 PROVIDES BROADBAND INTERNET, CABLE TELEVISION, TELEPHONE, OR OTHER
9 WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICES.
10(3)   (I)
  “TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE” MEANS ITEMS
11 THAT ARE USED TO PROVIDE BROADBAND INTERNET, CABLE TELEVISION,
12 TELEPHONE, OR OTHER WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICES.
13(II)   “TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE” INCLUDES:
141.   ANTENNAE;
152.   FIBER OPTIC AND COPPER CABLES;
163.   HEADENDS;
174.   TELEPHONE POLES;
185.   RADIO TRANSCEIVERS;
196.   RADIO TOWERS;
207.   WIRELESS SUPPORT STRUCTURES;
218.   SMALL CELL FACILITIES; AND
229.   TELECOMMUNICATIONS  COMPANY   OFFICE
23 FACILITIES.
24      (B)      THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO:
6SENATE BILL 782
1(1)
  AN EMPLOYEE OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OR A
2 PERSON ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY;
3 OR
4(2)SUPERVISION AND CONTROL OF A TELECOMMUNICATIONS
5 COMPANY AND ITS MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT, OR FACILITIES BY A POLITICAL
6 SUBDIVISION WITHIN WHICH THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY IS DOING
7 BUSINESS.
8     (C) A PERSON MAY NOT RECKLESSLY OR WILLFULLY AND MALICIOUSLY
9 DEFACE, DAMAGE, OR DESTROY TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE.
10(D)   A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUILTY OF A FELONY
11 MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO IMPRISONMENT  NOT
12 EXCEEDING 6 MONTHS OR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $5,000 $500 OR BOTH.
13SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
14 October 1, 2026.
     Approved:
     ________________________________________________________________________________
  Governor.
     ________________________________________________________________________________
  President of the Senate.
     ________________________________________________________________________________
  Speaker of the House of Delegates.