LANSING, MI (AP)-- Five years after Michigan targeted copper thefts plaguing cities like Detroit and disrupting railroads and utilities, plans to better restrict sales of stolen scrap metal are caught in a legislative fight.
Lawmakers are generally in agreement over giving law enforcement more tools to crack down on the problem.
But a provision to make people wait three days for payment for copper wire, air conditioners and catalytic converters is angering scrap buyers and dividing legislators.
The House has approved the three-day waiting period. The Senate has OK'd an industry-created database of purchases instead.
Leaders in Lansing remain hopeful a compromise is within reach this month. Both Governor Rick Snyder and new Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan are calling for action on an issue that's been worked on for more than 2½ years.