Twenty auto industry partners recently sent a letter to the U.S. House and Senate Commerce Committee leaders urging the passage of bipartisan legislation aimed at combating catalytic convertor theft.
The Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act would require new vehicles have traceable numbers stamped on the catalytic converter during assembly. It also would increase record keeping requirements for purchasers.
Under the bill, the federal criminal penalty for the theft, sale, trafficking or known purchase of stolen catalytic converters would be up to five years in jail.
“Catalytic converter theft continues to rise across the country, with no clear end in sight,” Mike Stanton, president and CEO of the National Automobile Dealers Association, one of the signees, said. “Common sense legislation like the PART Act would help give law enforcement the tools they need to deter catalytic converter thefts.”
Currently, catalytic convertors are not easily traceable. A stolen catalytic converter is worth between $20 to $350 on the black market, and cost as high as $2,500 for vehicle owners to replace.
Between 2019 and 2022, thefts increased by 1,215 percent, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Additional signees included American Rental Association, American Truck Dealers, American Trucking Associations, and National RV Dealers Association.