SUMMARY

Current law requires pawnbrokers to keep records regarding pawn transactions, including the identity of the consumer and the type of property. The pawnbroker is required to file this information monthly with local law enforcement.

This bill, based on a Lewiston ordinance, applies similar record-keeping requirements to all merchants receiving used goods, such as consignment shops and secondhand dealers. The purpose of this bill is to facilitate the identification and recovery of stolen property by law enforcement. To that end, this bill requires all merchants, including pawnbrokers, dealing in used property to:

1. Obtain written proof of the identity of the person selling the property. Written proof includes a driver's license, military identification card or adult liquor identification card;

2. Hold the used property for a minimum of 10 days before selling or otherwise disposing of it; and

3. Make a weekly report regarding the transactions engaged in, including a description of the property, to local law enforcement.