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Kentucky · Snapshot 09/05/2026

KRS 433.920: Duties of purchasers of metal and objects containing metal -- Retention of

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Where this section sits in the code
  1. KRS Chapter 433

records -- Exclusions.

(1) Every recycler, dealer in junk or metals, dealer in secondhand articles, vendor of

bottles or rags, collector of or dealer in articles found in ashes, garbage, or other

refuse, whether such dealers, collectors, or vendors have established places of

business or operate a business of an itinerant nature, shall, with regard to any

catalytic converter, metal beverage container that is capable of holdi ng more than

two (2) liters of beverage and is marketed as returnable, railroad rails, nonferrous

metal or an alloy thereof, or an object containing nonferrous metal or an alloy

thereof:

(a) Enter a report into the LeadsOnline database for all metals trans actions within

two (2) days of the transaction and keep a register that contains:

1. A photocopy of a valid operator's license, personal identification card,

or other government -issued identification card or document which

contains the name, photograph, an d signature of the seller. If the

purchaser has a copy of the seller's valid photo identification on file, it

shall not be necessary for the purchaser to make another copy of the

identification document for each purchase if the purchaser references the

number on the identification document in the register at the time of each

purchase;

2. The home address and telephone number of the seller, if the

identification in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph does not contain that

information;

3. If a motor vehicle is used to transport the purchased catalytic converter,

metal beverage container that is capable of holding more than two (2)

liters of beverage and is marketed as returnable, railroad rail, nonferrous

metal or an alloy thereof, or object containing nonferro us metal or an

alloy thereof, to the place of purchase, the color, make, model, state, and

license number of the motor vehicle, which shall be provided by the

seller of the items;

4. A photograph of a motor vehicle used in subparagraph 3. of this

paragraph that contains the state and license number of the motor

vehicle;

5. The time and date of the transaction;

6. A description in the usage of the trade of the kind and weight of the

railroad rail, nonferrous metal or an alloy thereof, or object containing

the nonferrous metal or an alloy thereof purchased;

7. A photograph of the property described in subparagraph 6. of this

paragraph;

8. The amount paid for the material and the unit basis of the purchase, such

as by ounce or pound, etc.; and

9. For the purchase of a catalytic converter, a photocopy of:

a. The seller's identification that meets the minimum age requirement

in paragraph (c) of this subsection;

b. The receipt for the replacement catalytic converter; and

c. The title or registration f or the vehicle from which the catalytic

converter was removed in the name of the seller;

(b) Not purchase any metal that has been smelted, burned, or melted unless, in

addition to the other requirements of this subsection, the seller provides the

following, and the purchaser maintains a copy thereof:

1. A signed certificate of ownership stating that he or she is the owner of

the metal and is entitled to sell it; or

2. A signed certificate from the owner of the metal stating that he or she is

the owner of th e metal, and that the person selling the metal is

authorized to sell the metal on behalf of the owner;

(c) Not purchase any catalytic converter, metal beverage container that is capable

of holding more than two (2) liters of beverage and is marketed as ret urnable,

railroad rail, nonferrous metal or an alloy thereof, or an object containing

nonferrous metal or an alloy thereof from a person who:

1. Is less than eighteen (18) years of age;

2. Is unable or refuses to provide the identification and information

required in paragraph (a) of this subsection; or

3. Is attempting to conduct a retail sale outside the hours of 7:00 a.m. to

7:00 p.m.;

(d) Retain the information required by this section for a period of two (2) years,

after which time, the information may be retained, destroyed in a manner that

protects the identity of the owner of the property and the seller of the

property, or transferred to a law enforcement agency specified in paragraph

(g) of this subsection;

(e) If the purchaser ceases business, tran sfer all records and information required

by this section to a law enforcement agency specified in paragraph (g) of this

subsection;

(f) Permit any peace officer or inspector from the commission to inspect the

register, and if the peace officer or commissi on inspector deems it necessary

to locate specific stolen property, may inspect the catalytic converter, metal

beverage and container that is capable of holding more than two (2) liters of

beverage is marketed as returnable, railroad rail, nonferrous metal or an alloy

thereof, or object containing nonferrous metal or an alloy thereof received

during business hours with or without a subpoena;

(g) Upon written request of the sheriff, the chief of police, or the Kentucky State

Police, as appropriate, make a report containing the information required to be

retained in the register under paragraph (a) of this subsection in person, in

digital format, in writing, or by electronic means within twenty -four (24)

hours of the transaction to:

1. The sheriff of the count y in which the purchase was made and the

sheriff of the county in which the business is located; and

2. When the purchase was made in a city, county, urban -county, charter

county, consolidated local government, or unified local government, to

the police de partment of the city, county, urban -county, charter county,

consolidated local government, or unified local government in which the

purchase is made and the police department of the city, county, urban -

county, charter county, consolidated local government, or unified local

government in which the business is located, unless there is no police

department in that jurisdiction;

(h) Comply with a written request pursuant to paragraph (g) of this subsection

until a written notice to cease sending the reports req uired by paragraph (g) of

this subsection is received by the purchaser. A request may relate to:

1. All records of purchases;

2. Records of a specific class of metals or items purchased;

3. Records of purchases during a specific period of time; or

4. Records of a specific purchase or purchases; and

(i) Retain the property in its original form or a photograph or digital image of the

property for a period of three (3) business days from the date of purchase

unless notified by a peace officer having reasonable cause to believe that the

property may be stolen property, in which case, the property may be seized as

evidence by the peace officer or, if not seized, shall be retained for an

additional thirty (30) days unless earlier notified by a peace officer that t he

property may be sold.

(2) A sheriff or police department receiving records pursuant to this section shall retain

the records for two (2) years, after which time, it may either retain or destroy the

records in a manner that protects the identity of the o wner of the property, the seller

of the property, and the purchaser of the property.

(3) Any record required to be made or reported pursuant to this section may be kept

and reported in hard copy or digital or in electronic format.

(4) This section shall not apply to the purchase, sale, or transfer of:

(a) A motor vehicle, aircraft, or other item that is licensed by the state or federal

government pursuant to a legitimate transfer of title or issuance of a junk title;

(b) A firearm, part of a firearm, firearm accessory, ammunition, or ammunition

component;

(c) A knife, knife parts, accessory or sheath for a knife, or knifemaking products;

(d) A nonreturnable used beverage container or food container;

(e) Jewelry, household goods containing metal, garden tools, and similar

household items, except for a catalyt ic converter or metal beverage container

that is capable of holding more than two (2) liters of liquid and which is

marketed as returnable, which takes place at a flea market or yard sale;

(f) A single transaction involving a purchase price of ten dollars ($10) or less, but

more than two (2) transactions with the same person involving a purchase

price of ten dollars ($10) or less in one (1) seven (7) day period shall be

reportable transactions;

(g) Material disposed of as trash or refuse that contains or ma y contain a catalytic

converter, metal beverage container that is capable of holding more than two

(2) liters of beverage and is marketed as returnable, railroad rail, nonferrous

metals or an alloy thereof, or an object that contains or may contain a railr oad

rail or nonferrous metals or an alloy thereof, which is collected by a municipal

waste department or by a licensed waste hauler and no payment is made to the

person from whom the material is collected by the person or agency collecting

the material;

(h) A catalytic converter, metal beverage container that is capable of holding

more than two (2) liters of beverage and marketed as returnable, railroad rail,

nonferrous metal or alloy thereof, or an object containing railroad rail,

nonferrous metal, or an a lloy thereof from a person who has maintained a

record pursuant to this section to a person who is to further recycle the metal

or object containing the metal;

(i) A catalytic converter, metal beverage container that is capable of holding

more than two (2) liters of beverage and marketed as returnable, railroad rail,

nonferrous metal or an alloy thereof, or object containing nonferrous metal or

an alloy thereof under a written contract with an organization, corporation, or

association registered with the Co mmonwealth as a charitable, philanthropic,

religious, fraternal, civic, patriotic, social, or school sponsored organization;

(j) A purchase, pursuant to a written contract, from a manufacturing, industrial or

other commercial vendor that generates catalyti c converters, metal beverage

containers capable of holding more than two (2) liters of beverage and which

are marketed as returnable, railroad rail, nonferrous metal or an alloy thereof,

or object containing nonferrous metal in the ordinary course of business;

(k) An item purchased by, pawned to, or sold by a pawnbroker licensed pursuant

to KRS Chapter 226, engaging in the business authorized by that chapter; or

(l) Any ferrous metal item, except for a catalytic converter, metal beverage

container that is capable of holding more than two (2) liters of beverage and is

marked as returnable, or railroad rails.

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