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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*
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 ______
AN ACT concerning 1
Telecommunications Infrastructure – Protections 2
FOR the purpose of specifying that certain documentation may establish lawful authority 3
to sell certain telecommunications equipment as junk or scrap metal; requiring 4
certain junk dealers, scrap metal processors, and antique dealers to register and 5
provide a description including certain information of purchased 6
telecommunications equipment with a certain law enforcement official; prohibiting 7
certain junk dealers, scrap metal processors, and antique dealers from purchasing 8
telecommunications equipment other than by check mailed to the seller’s address; 9
prohibiting the sale or disposa l of certain telecommunications equipment within a 10
certain period; prohibiting certain individuals from destroying telecommunications 11
infrastructure in a certain manner; and generally relating to telecommunications 12
equipment and infrastructure. 13
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments, 14
Article – Business Regulation 15
Section 17–1001(a) and (f)(2) and (f)(1)(ii)9. and (2) 16
Annotated Code of Maryland 17
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 18
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments, 19
Article – Business Regulation 20
Section 17–1001(f)(1)(ii)8. and 9. 17–1009(d) 21
Annotated Code of Maryland 22
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 23
2 SENATE BILL 782
BY adding to 1
Article – Business Regulation 2
Section 17–1001(f)(1)(ii)9. and (m) and 17–1010.1 3
Annotated Code of Maryland 4
(2024 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 5
BY adding to 6
Article – Criminal Law 7
Section 6–305.1 8
Annotated Code of Maryland 9
(2021 Replacement Volume and 2025 Supplement) 10
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND , 11
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows: 12
Article – Business Regulation 13
17–1001. 14
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. 15
(f) (1) “Junk” or “scrap metal” includes: 16
(ii) the following used articles, made of either ferrous or nonferrous 17
metal: 18
8. cell tower batteries; [and] 19
9. TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT THAT INCLUDES 20
ANY OTHER USED ARTIC LES OWNED BY A TELEC OMMUNICATIONS COMPAN Y, AS 21
DEFINED IN § 6–305.1 OF THE CRIMINAL LAW ARTICLE, INCLUDING: 22
A. ANTENNAE; 23
B. BURNED WIRES; 24
C. BUSBARS; 25
D. CELL TOWER BATTERIES; 26
E. FIBER OPTIC AND COPPER CABLES; 27
F. POWER INVERTERS; 28
SENATE BILL 782 3
G. MATERIALS WITH IDENT IFIABLE MARKERS THAT 1
INDICATE OWNERSHIP BY THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY; AND 2
H. SMALL CELL FACILITIES; AND 3
[9.] 10. any other used articles owned by a public utility 4
including: 5
A. guardrails; 6
B. manhole covers; 7
C. metal light poles; 8
D. tree grates; 9
E. water meters; and 10
F. street signs. 11
(2) “Junk” or “scrap metal” does not include beverage cans or food cans. 12
17–1009. 13
(d) (1) A junk dealer or scrap metal processor may not barter, buy, exchange, 14
or accept from a person any junk or scrap metal unless the junk dealer or scrap metal 15
processor keeps records and makes entries in them in accordance with this subtitle. 16
(2) A junk dealer or scrap metal processor may not purchase a catalytic 17
converter from an individual unless the individual, at the time of purchase, provides 18
identification as: 19
(i) a licensed automotive dismantler and recycler or scrap metal 20
processor; or 21
(ii) an agent or employee of a licensed commercial enterprise. 22
(3) (I) A junk dealer or scrap metal processor may not purchase a 23
cemetery urn, grave marker, or any othe r item listed under § 17 –1001(f)(1)(ii) of this 24
subtitle from an individual unless the individual, at the time of purchase, provides 25
appropriate authorization from a relevant business or unit of federal, State, or local 26
government OR FROM AN INDIVIDUAL WITH AUTHORIZATION UNDER SUBPARAGRAPH 27
(II) OF THIS PARAGRAPH specifically authorizing the individual to conduct the 28
transaction. 29
4 SENATE BILL 782
(II) FOR A PURCHASE OF TEL ECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT 1
SOLD AS JUNK OR SCRA P METAL , APPROPRIATE AUTHORIZ ATION UNDER THIS 2
SUBSECTION INCLUDES A BILL OF SALE, RECEIPT, LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION, OR 3
OTHER DOCUMENTARY EV IDENCE THAT THE SELL ER HAS LAWFUL AUTHOR ITY TO 4
SELL THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT. 5
(M) “TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQ UIPMENT” MEANS AN ITEM THAT A N 6
INDIVIDUAL KNOWS OR REASONABLY SHOULD KNOW TO ORDINARILY BE USED BY, 7
OR BELONG TO , A TELEPHONE , TELEGRAPH, INTERNET, OR OTHER WIRELESS 8
COMMUNICATION COMPANY. 9
17–1010.1. 10
(A) THIS SECTION APPLIES TO ALL JUNK DEALERS , SCRAP METAL 11
PROCESSORS, AND ANTIQUE DEALERS WHO ARE RESIDENTS OF THE STATE. 12
(B) (1) EACH JUNK DEALER , SCRAP METAL PROCESSO R, OR ANTIQUE 13
DEALER SUBJECT TO TH IS SECTION WHO PURCH ASES TELECOMMUNICATI ONS 14
EQUIPMENT SHALL REGI STER WITH THE SHERIF F OR OTHER LAW ENFOR CEMENT 15
OFFICIAL DESIGNATED BY THE GOVERNING BO DY OF THE COUNTY IN WHICH THE 16
BUSINESS OF THE JUNK DEALER, SCRAP METAL PROCESSOR, OR ANTIQUE DEALER 17
IS LOCATED A COMPLET E DESCRIPTION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS 18
EQUIPMENT. 19
(2) THE DESCRIPTION SHALL INCLUDE: 20
(I) THE DATE AND TIME OF PURCHASE; 21
(II) THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF THE SELLER; AND 22
(III) THE LICENSE TAG NUMBER OF ANY VEHICLE USED. 23
(C) A JUNK DEALER , SCRAP METAL PROCESSO R, OR ANTIQUE DEALER 24
SUBJECT TO THIS SECT ION WHO PURCHASES TE LECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT 25
MAY PURCHASE TELECOM MUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT ONLY BY IS SUING A CHECK 26
THAT IS MAILED TO THE SELLER’S ADDRESS. 27
(D) TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE 28
DISPOSED OF FOR A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF PURCHASE. 29
(E) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION: 30
(1) IS SUBJECT TO REVOCATION OF ANY STATE JUNK LICENSE HELD 31
BY THE PERSON; AND 32
SENATE BILL 782 5
(2) IS GUILTY OF A MISDEMEANOR AND, ON CONVICTION, IS SUBJECT 1
TO A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $2,000. 2
Article – Criminal Law 3
6–305.1. 4
(A) (1) IN THIS SECTION THE F OLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE MEANINGS 5
INDICATED. 6
(2) “TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO MPANY” MEANS A COMPANY THAT 7
PROVIDES BROADBAND INTERNET, CABLE TELEVISION , TELEPHONE, OR OTHER 8
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICES. 9
(3) (I) “TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE” MEANS ITEMS 10
THAT ARE USED TO PRO VIDE BROADBAND INTERNET, CABLE TELEVISION , 11
TELEPHONE, OR OTHER WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SERVICES. 12
(II) “TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE” INCLUDES: 13
1. ANTENNAE; 14
2. FIBER OPTIC AND COPPER CABLES; 15
3. HEADENDS; 16
4. TELEPHONE POLES; 17
5. RADIO TRANSCEIVERS; 18
6. RADIO TOWERS; 19
7. WIRELESS SUPPORT STRUCTURES; 20
8. SMALL CELL FACILITIES; AND 21
9. TELECOMMUNICATIONS C OMPANY OFFICE 22
FACILITIES. 23
(B) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO: 24
6 SENATE BILL 782
(1) AN EMPLOYEE OF A TEL ECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY OR A 1
PERSON ACTING UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF A T ELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY; 2
OR 3
(2) SUPERVISION AND CONT ROL OF A TELECOMMUNI CATIONS 4
COMPANY AND ITS MATE RIAL, EQUIPMENT, OR FACILITIES BY A P OLITICAL 5
SUBDIVISION WITHIN W HICH THE TELECOMMUNI CATIONS COMP ANY IS DOING 6
BUSINESS. 7
(C) A PERSON MAY NOT RECKL ESSLY OR WILLFULLY A ND MALICIOUSLY 8
DEFACE, DAMAGE, OR DESTROY TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE. 9
(D) A PERSON WHO VIOLATES THIS SECTION IS GUIL TY OF A FELONY 10
MISDEMEANOR AND ON CONVICTION IS SUBJECT TO I MPRISONMENT NOT 11
EXCEEDING 6 MONTHS OR A FINE NOT EXCEEDING $5,000 $500 OR BOTH. 12
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect 13
October 1, 2026. 14
Approved:
________________________________________________________________________________
Governor.
________________________________________________________________________________
President of the Senate.
________________________________________________________________________________
Speaker of the House of Delegates.