After two years of trying, lawmakers are nearing a deal on new regulations aimed at stopping metal theft.

This is big news for the Valley, where theives have ripped copper and aluminum from farm and utility equipment. The metals are turned in for quick cash -- often to fuel drug habits, authorities say.

Assembly Member Tom Berryhill, R-Modesto, has been pushing a bill, AB 844, that requires that junk dealers and recyclers beef up record keeping and pay for some metals with checks. Junk dealers don't like a provision that allows counties and cities to enact even stronger ordinances. They've lined up behind another bill, SB 691 by Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, that leaves that part out.

In a compromise that Calderon and Berryhill reached this week, local governments could only enact stronger ordinances if two-thirds of a board of supervisors or city council agree. Also, recyclers and junk deals could still pay regular customers with cash, a provision that was in Calderon's bill.

There's one potential hang-up. The compromise also includes a requirement that dealers get a thumbprint from customers. The Senate Public Safety Committee, which the bill must clear, has opposed thumb printing.

The compromise will be inserted into Berryhill's AB 844, which the Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee is scheduled hear Monday.