Support Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Legislation (H.R. 621/S. 154)

ISSUE
Catalytic converters are attractive targets for thieves due to their precious metals, such as rhodium, platinum and palladium. Criminals can easily steal catalytic converters from unattended vehicles, and since catalytic converters are not readily traceable, there is a lucrative market for these stolen parts. These thefts are costing millions of dollars to businesses and individual vehicle owners alike and continue to be a significant problem. Heavy-duty diesel trucks are also vulnerable to theft of their emission control devices known as diesel particulate filters (DPF) and diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC), which contain the same precious metals that attract thieves to steal catalytic converters. Members of Congress should become an original cosponsor of the “Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act” (PART Act), which would help law enforcement combat the theft of emission control devices by marking these parts and creating a more transparent market that deters their theft. 

BACKGROUND

As required by the Clean Air Act, catalytic converters reduce toxic emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles using precious metals to remove toxic elements from the exhaust gases. Like catalytic converters in light-duty vehicles, DPFs/DOCs use precious metals to reduce toxic emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. The price of these precious metals rose sharply during the pandemic, contributing to a nearly 900% increase in theft between 2019 and 2023. Stolen catalytic converters can garner anywhere from $20 to $350 on the black market, and DPFs/DOCs can get up to $700, with the replacement cost to vehicle owners averaging over $2,500. Stolen catalytic converters are difficult to trace since they lack identification numbers tied to the vehicle, which hampers law enforcement from proving ownership and prosecuting theft.

Thefts have also turned violent, with high-profile tragedies underscoring the urgency of addressing this issue. While several states, such as Minnesota and North Carolina, have enacted laws to address the issue, this crime frequently involves trafficking stolen parts across state lines and a federal framework is needed to aid the efforts of local law enforcement. 

The PART Act addresses this crime by: 1) requiring new vehicles to have unique identifying numbers, a VIN or other traceable number, stamped on catalytic converters at the time of assembly; 2) establishing a $7 million grant program to mark catalytic converters of vehicles already on the road at no cost to vehicle owners; 3) increasing record keeping requirements for purchasers; and 4) establishing a federal criminal penalty for the theft, sale, trafficking or known purchase of stolen catalytic converters of up to five years.