While it's hard to catch metal thieves lawmakers and law enforcement officials say making it tougher for them to re-sell the stolen items is one way to fight the growing problem.

The Senate Public Safety committee voted unanimously to pass a bill that would require a title to be presented when reselling trailer parts that are worth more than $850 dollars.

Senator Johnny Grant the chairman of the committee says the bill has the backing from both law enforcement and the trucking industry.

"If that value of that trailer exceeds that then they have to have a title to scrap it. this is something that protects the trucking industry and some owners of some very expensive pieces of equipment, " Grant says.

This measure now moves on to the full Senate for their consideration.

Tags: Georgia politics, sasha horne, trucking industry, Senate Public Safety Committee, Stolen metal, Senator Johnny Grant