HB 328 Summary

• Creates enhanced criminal penalties for theft of catalytic converters, establishing it as a felony of the fifth degree for first offense and felony of the fourth degree for repeat offenders, with business entities facing fines of $10,000-$50,000 per violation.

• Requires scrap metal dealers and bulk merchandise container dealers to obtain proof of ownership for catalytic converters, including vehicle title, registration, or repair invoices clearly showing converter removal and replacement.

• Establishes registration requirements for scrap metal dealers and bulk merchandise container dealers with the director of public safety, including $200 initial fee and $150 annual renewal fee, with registration suspensions or revocations for violations.

• Creates a statewide registry database by January 1, 2014, to track daily transactions of catalytic converters and other scrap materials, providing law enforcement with search capabilities and theft alerts.

• Limits scrap metal dealers to purchasing no more than one catalytic converter per day from the same person, except from licensed motor vehicle dealers, and allows use of affidavit forms when sellers cannot produce ownership documentation.