MS HB1232

Requires any person who transports detached catalytic converters (whole or partial) or sells scrap metal to register with the Mississippi Secretary of State, with registrations expiring every 2 years

Adds "selling stolen property" and "receiving stolen property" to the list of criminal convictions that prohibit a person from registering as a scrap metal dealer for 5 years

Prohibits scrap metal dealers and purchasers from paying cash or using electronic cash-like transactions for metal property purchases; payment must be made by mailed check or electronic funds transfer after a 3-day waiting period

Mandates that anyone transporting catalytic converters must provide documentation including: the name of the person/company that removed the converter, the vehicle's make, model, and VIN, the converter's part number, and proof of the seller's ownership interest in the vehicle

First-time violations for failure to register constitute a felony punishable by $500-$1,000 fine; subsequent violations carry up to 3 years imprisonment and up to $5,000 in fines, with the act effective July 1, 2022