S.B. 2279 Summary

• Requires used motor vehicle parts dealers to obtain written statements from sellers certifying lawful right to sell catalytic converters, including seller identification, converter descriptions, purchase price, date/time/place of sale, and vehicle license plate numbers.

• Mandates dealers photograph each catalytic converter and the seller, obtain photocopies of seller identification, and maintain records for three years; payment must be made by check and dealers must hold converters for 60 days before resale.

• Establishes theft of catalytic converter as a class C felony and makes violations of catalytic converter purchase regulations by dealers and scrap dealers (involving palladium, platinum, or rhodium) class C felonies with minimum fines of $1,000 for first offense, $3,000 for second, and $5,000 with six-month license suspension for third offense.

• Requires scrap dealers and recyclers to follow similar reporting and documentation procedures when purchasing palladium, platinum, and rhodium, with payment by check and mandatory record retention.

• Directs each county police department to establish a database for catalytic converter purchase reports and implement education programs encouraging residents to use orange paint and vehicle identification number engravings on converters as theft deterrents; effective January 1, 2023.