Senate Bill

SB 271

Telecommunications wire and valuable metal dealers.

In plain English

Adds telecommunications network wire to the list of items covered by Indiana's valuable metal dealer laws. Bars people from selling, and dealers from buying, this wire in any amount unless certain conditions are met. Lets people who lose money from a violation sue for damages, and moves existing criminal penalties for valuable metals to the criminal code.

Written by AI from the official digest below, and checked only by automated rules. If they differ, the official digest and bill text control.

Official digest

Adds telecommunications network wire to the definition of "valuable metal" for purposes of Indiana law governing valuable metal dealers. Moves existing criminal penalties concerning valuable metals to the criminal code. Provides that a person may not sell or attempt to sell, and a valuable metal dealer may not purchase or attempt to purchase, telecommunications network wire in any amount unless specified conditions are satisfied. 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.

Latest action: Signed by the Governor, March 5, 2026Full text and history at iga.in.gov

Authors and sponsors

Eric Koch, Aaron Freeman, Rodney Pol, Wendy McNamara

Co-authors and co-sponsors: Daryl Schmitt, Ed Soliday

Roll-call votes

4 recorded votes, oldest first. Third-reading votes decide whether a bill passes a chamber; amendment votes and procedural motions are listed too.

Senate · Jan 22, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 271 - Koch - 3rd Reading

Passed

44 yes1 no4 did not vote

Republicans: 35 yes, 0 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 9 yes, 1 no

How each member voted

House · Feb 24, 2026

Third reading: vote to pass

Roll call text: SB 271 - McNamara - 3rd Reading

Passed

76 yes21 no3 did not vote

Republicans: 46 yes, 21 no, 2 did not voteDemocrats: 29 yes, 0 no, 1 did not voteIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (76)

No (21)

Did not vote (3)

Senate · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 271 - Koch

Passed

50 yes0 no

Republicans: 40 yes, 0 noDemocrats: 10 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

House · Feb 27, 2026

Final vote: concurrence or conference report

Roll call text: SB 271 - McNamara

Passed

94 yes2 no4 did not vote

Republicans: 63 yes, 2 no, 4 did not voteDemocrats: 30 yes, 0 noIndependents: 1 yes, 0 no

How each member voted

Yes (94)

No (2)

Did not vote (4)

Source: Open States, compiled from the Indiana General Assembly's official roll calls. The official record at iga.in.gov controls. Spot an error? Let us know.