Bulk merchandise pallets.

(1) Existing law authorizes junk dealers and recyclers, as defined, to sell and purchase junk, which includes secondhand and used furniture, pallets, or other personal property, as specified. Existing law requires junk dealers and recyclers to obtain valid identification, as specified, from a seller before providing payment. Existing law requires junk dealers and recyclers to maintain written records of specified information, and makes a violation of the recordkeeping requirements a misdemeanor. This bill would permit a seller to use a passport from any country or a Matricula Consular issued by Mexico, along with another form or identification bearing an address, or an identification card issued by the United States, as identification for purposes of these provisions. This bill would prohibit junk dealers and recyclers from purchasing or receiving bulk merchandise pallets, as defined, marked with an indicia of ownership, as defined, from anyone except the indicated owner, unless specified information is provided to the junk dealer or recycler, and would require the junk dealer or recycler to maintain a written record of that information. The bill would also require that payment by the junk dealer for 5 or more bulk merchandise pallets to a person other than the indicated owner be made by check mailed to the address of the seller, as specified, or by check or by cash on or after the 3rd business day following the transaction. (2) Existing law defines a merchandise pallet as a wooden or plastic carrier or container of specified size, used by a manufacturer or distributor to transport merchandise to retail outlets, which has a notice permanently affixed to it identifying the owner of the pallet and providing other specified information. Existing law prohibits and makes it a crime for an unauthorized person, as defined, to possess a merchandise pallet or for a person other than its owner to obliterate the identification notice on a pallet. This bill would expand these provisions to cover merchandise pallets marked with indicia of ownership, as defined. The bill would also prohibit and make it a crime for a person other than the owner of the pallet to obliterate the indicia of ownership from a merchandise pallet. (3) Existing law requires any person or entity purchasing plastic bulk merchandise containers who is in the business of recycling, shredding, or destruction of plastic bulk merchandise containers, as defined, to obtain a proof of ownership record and other identifying information from a person selling 5 or more containers, and to retain the required record for a specified time. A violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor. This bill would instead require a person or entity purchasing or transporting plastic bulk merchandise containers who is in the business of recycling, shredding, or destruction of plastic bulk merchandise containers, or is in the business of transporting plastic bulk merchandise containers for those purposes, to obtain a proof of ownership record or bill of lading and other identifying information from the person selling or delivering 5 or more containers, and to retain the required record for a specified time. Because this bill would expand the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (4) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 21608.5 of the Business and Professions Code proposed by AB 1508 that would become operative only if this bill and AB 1508 are both chaptered, and this bill is chaptered last. (5) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.