“A bill to prevent the theft of catalytic converters and other precious metal car parts, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section defines the term "catalytic converter" for purposes of this Act to mean (1) any device installed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action to oxidize hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O), (2) a diesel oxidation catalyst, or (3) a diesel particulate filter.
This section directs the NHTSA Administrator, not later than 180 days after enactment, to (1) propose revising 49 CFR 541.5(a) to add catalytic converters to specified parts subject to motor vehicle theft prevention marking requirements; (2) propose revising 49 CFR part 543 to require catalytic converter marking notwithstanding any granted exemption petition; and (3) update related regulations, including 49 CFR part 565, to apply these requirements to covered vehicles. The new marking requirements apply to unsold vehicles (i.e., prior to first purchaser) beginning 180 days after the revisions, regardless of model year or manufacture date. This section further amends 49 USC 33101 to define "catalytic converter" as an exhaust system device oxidizing hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and water, a diesel oxidation catalyst, or a diesel particulate filter; and amends 49 USC 33106 to require exemption petitions to certify catalytic converter marking and to direct regulations mandating such marking, including with unique part identification numbers accessible to law enforcement. (As background, 49 USC ch. 331 and related regulations deter motor vehicle theft by requiring identification markings—typically vehicle identification number derivatives—on major parts of high-theft passenger motor vehicles, including multipurpose passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks rated at no more than 6,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight, to aid law enforcement against chop shops.)
This section establishes a grant program, to be administered by the Secretary of Transportation and implemented not later than 180 days after enactment, under which eligible entities (i.e., law enforcement agencies, automobile dealers, owners or lessees of centrally maintained vehicle fleets, automobile repair shops and service centers, and nonprofit organizations) may receive grants to perform covered activities on catalytic converters—namely, die or pin stamping of the full vehicle identification number (VIN) or a unique part identification number (linked to the VIN in a law enforcement-accessible database) in a typed font on the converter's exterior, covered by high-visibility, high-heat theft deterrence paint (excluding wages for such activities, which must be provided at no cost to vehicle owners). The Secretary must issue regulations establishing procedures for such marking on theft-prone vehicles without damaging converter function; prioritize grants for high-theft areas (as determined by the Secretary) and entities possessing vehicles subject to the requirements of section 3(b); and submit annual reports to Congress for 10 years describing program progress, results, and findings—including the total number of catalytic converters marked and known thefts or related criminal investigations. The program receives $7 million from unobligated funds appropriated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2), with authorization of appropriations for any necessary amount to total $7 million.
This section includes catalytic converters in the list of motor vehicle parts covered under theft prevention standards in 49 U.S.C. §33101(7) and retitles and expands prohibitions in 49 U.S.C. §33111 to require sellers of motor vehicle parts containing precious metals (i.e., as defined in 41 C.F.R. §109-27.5101)—including those engaged in salvaging, dismantling, recycling, or repairing such parts—to provide purchasers with the seller's name, address, phone number, photocopy of government-issued ID, and either the vehicle's original VIN or unique part identification number (i.e., marked, etched, or engraved on the part and tied to the original VIN), with records retained for at least two years. It further (1) prohibits selling or purchasing catalytic converters with identifying markings removed or tampered with; (2) requires all sales or purchases of catalytic converters to use traceable payments such as checks or wire transfers, prohibiting cash or digital assets; and (3) directs the Attorney General to prescribe regulations implementing these requirements, including enforcement and penalties. (Thus, these measures aim to deter catalytic converter theft by enhancing traceability.)
This section addresses theft and trafficking of catalytic converters (i.e., exhaust system devices that reduce emissions using catalytic action or related filters, which contain valuable precious metals such as platinum) by (1) adding a new section 671 to 18 U.S.C. Ch. 31 prohibiting knowingly stealing such a device from another person's motor vehicle or purchasing a stolen one with intent to sell or distribute it (or extracted precious metals) in interstate or foreign commerce, punishable by fine under title 18, U.S. Code, imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both (with concurrent sentences for related conduct); (2) inserting into the definitions in 18 U.S.C. §2311 (governing sale or transport of stolen vehicles) the term "precious metals," as defined in 41 C.F.R. §109-27.5101 or successor regulation; (3) adding subsection (d) to 18 U.S.C. §2321 (governing trafficking in stolen vehicles and parts) to prohibit buying, receiving, possessing, or obtaining control of a stolen catalytic converter with intent to sell or dispose of it, subject to the same penalties; and (4) revising the definition of "chop shop" in 18 U.S.C. §2322(b) to expressly include operations that unlawfully extract precious metals from stolen motor vehicles or parts prior to distribution, sale, or disposal in interstate or foreign commerce.