Local governments may set stricter metal-recycling rules, but a person operating a metal recycling entity must have the required local license or permit.
Sec. 1956.003. LOCAL LAW; CRIMINAL PENALTY. (a) A county, municipality, or political subdivision of this state may adopt a rule, charter, or ordinance or issue an order or impose standards that are more stringent than but do not conflict with this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter. (a-1) A county, municipality, or other political subdivision may require the record of purchase described under Section 1956.033 to contain a clear and legible thumbprint of a seller of regulated material. (a-2) A county, municipality, or other political subdivision that, as authorized under Subsection (a), requires a metal recycling entity to report to the county, municipality, or political subdivision information relating to a sale of regulated material shall: (1) include in any contract entered into by the county, municipality, or political subdivision relating to the reporting of the information a provision that: (A) requires any contractor, subcontractor, or third party that has access to, comes into possession of, or otherwise obtains information relating to a sale of regulated material to maintain the confidentiality of all information received, including the name of the seller, the price paid for a purchase of regulated material, and the quantity of regulated material purchased; and (B) allows the county, municipality, or political subdivision to terminate the contract of any contractor, subcontractor, or third party that violates the confidentiality provision required by Paragraph (A); and (2) investigate a complaint alleging that a contractor, subcontractor, or third party has failed to maintain the confidentiality of information relating to a sale of regulated material. (b) A county, municipality, or political subdivision of this state may issue a license or permit to a business to allow the business to act as a metal recycling entity in that county or municipality and may impose a fee not to exceed $250 for the issuance or renewal of the license or permit. (c) A county, municipality, or political subdivision of this state that issues a license or permit to a business as authorized under Subsection (b) shall submit to the department in the manner required by the department information on each business that is issued a license or permit, including inspection reports for the business, information regarding violations of this chapter by the business, and information regarding disciplinary actions initiated against the business. (d) A municipality or political subdivision of this state, other than a county, may not increase the local license or permit fee imposed on a metal recycling facility unless the increase is approved by the local governing body. A request for an increase in the local license or permit fee must be based on the costs associated with law enforcement and administration of the licensing or permitting program. The municipality or political subdivision must submit a report to the department on the law enforcement and administrative costs associated with the fee increase. (e) A county may increase the local license or permit fee imposed on a metal recycling facility one additional time before the second anniversary of the date of the initial fee increase. The fee increase must be based on the average cost charged by municipalities statewide. (f) A person commits an offense if the person owns or operates a metal recycling entity and does not hold a license or permit required by a county, municipality, or other political subdivision as authorized under Subsection (b). An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person has been previously convicted under this subsection, in which event the offense is a Class A misdemeanor. (g) Notwithstanding any other law, a county, municipality, or other political subdivision must provide a minimum 30-day notice followed by a public hearing prior to enacting a prohibition on the sale or use of a recyclable product. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1421, Sec. 4, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1316 (S.B. 1154), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1234 (S.B. 694), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1234 (S.B. 694), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1234 (S.B. 694), Sec. 3, eff. March 1, 2012. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 191 (S.B. 208), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.