The Nevada Legislature has unanimously passed Assembly Bill 503, a measure aimed at increasing penalties for copper wire theft, a growing problem that has left parts of Clark County in the dark and business owners frustrated.
District E County Commissioner Tick Segerblom, a strong advocate for the bill, praised lawmakers for their swift action. “I’m just so proud of the legislature for stepping up, and hopefully the Governor signs it,” he said.
Segerblom helped launch a Copper Wire Task Force last year to address the rising number of wire theft incidents. Since then, he says there have been improvements, attributing the progress to increased proactivity, replacement of copper with aluminum wiring, and installation of solar-powered lighting.
Under the new bill, individuals caught with less than $500 worth of stolen copper could face a misdemeanor charge. Theft of copper exceeding that amount would be treated as a felony, punishable by up to four years in prison.
Local business owner Mario Perdichizzi of Broadway Pizza knows the damage copper theft can cause. His A/C unit was targeted by thieves last year. “It feels great because they should pay the penalty for stealing,” he said. “We’ve installed cameras and lights and plan to add a cage around the unit.”
The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Joe Lombardo. If signed, the new penalties will go into effect on October 1.
According to Clark County’s public works department, nearly 1 million feet of streetlight wiring have been stolen since 2022. The law also tightens regulations around scrap metal sales, requiring documentation of ownership and banning cash purchases from walk-up sellers.
