S.B. No. 165 Summary

• Establishes new licensing requirements for persons selling used catalytic converters in bulk, requiring a license from the Department of Public Safety with a $200 annual fee.

• Creates enhanced criminal penalties for catalytic converter theft, including felony charges and fines of $10,000-$50,000 for business entities engaged in illegal sales or purchases.

• Implements record-keeping and documentation requirements for scrap metal dealers, bulk merchandise container dealers, and catalytic converter sellers, including customer identification, vehicle information, and transaction details submitted to a state registry.

• Restricts proof of ownership for catalytic converters to vehicle title/registration or repair shop invoices showing the vehicle identification number and removal details.

• Appropriates $1.5 million for fiscal year 2024 and $1 million for fiscal year 2025 to the Attorney General to support catalytic converter theft task forces.