Number
180745
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BORKOWSKI
Title
Resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of State legislation increasing the penalties for pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers who knowingly accept or sell stolen property.
Analysis
This resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to lobby the State legislature to enact legislation increasing the penalties for pawnbrokers and secondhand shop dealers who knowingly accept stolen property.
Body
Whereas, Pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers often purchase stolen property without verification of ownership; and
Whereas, Pawnbroker customers are required to sign a form swearing that the items in their possession are not stolen; and
Whereas, Many pawnbrokers are not sworn notaries public causing the form to become invalid, and customers and shop owners are not often criminally charged for the receipt or sale of stolen property; and
Whereas, While State law classifies the receipt of stolen property as a Class A misdemeanor or as a Class I, H, or G felony charge, pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers fail to provide the sworn forms and report their purchases to local law enforcement within a 24-hour period making it difficult for local law enforcement to refer charges; and
Whereas, The State needs to raise the penalties for pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers who knowingly accept stolen property; and
Resolved, That the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to lobby the Wisconsin State Legislature to enact legislation increasing the penalties for pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers for receiving stolen property; and, be it
Further Resolved, That File Number 160538 is amended by inserting the following item in the document attached to the file and identified as “2017-18 State Legislative Package Proposals:
Public Health and Safety |
Common Council |
Amend Wis. Stat. §134.71(13) to increase penalties for pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers for first and second offenses, as well as subsequent offenses. |
; and, be it
Further Resolved, That this item shall be included in the 2019-2020 State Legislative Package.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB 171687-1
Kari B. Gipson
8/20/2018