Authorizing law enforcement officers to conduct investigations of violations of the scrap metal theft reduction act.

HB 2349 authorizes Kansas law enforcement officers to investigate violations of the scrap metal theft reduction act, requiring them to submit reports to the Attorney General regardless of local action taken. The bill establishes two state funds: one for fees/penalties collected under the act (managed by the Attorney General) and another for maintaining a central database of scrap metal transactions (managed by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation). This database, mandated to be created by July 1, 2020, will store transaction data to aid law enforcement in investigating theft. Municipalities may also adopt local scrap metal ordinances that align with the state law. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, scrap metal dealers (who must provide transaction data), and local governments.