Driving the news: The Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act moved from the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade to the full Energy and Commerce Committee on February 10.
For context: Dealers support the PART Act, which addresses catalytic converter theft from the federal level in multiple ways.
New vehicles will be required to have some sort of traceable number stamped on converters.
A $7 million grant fund will be created for dealers to help mark converters on old cars.
Converter purchases will be recorded more carefully.
People who steal, sell or move converters illegally will face federal-level penalties.
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What they’re saying: “Law enforcement groups have gone on the record to state that including tracing in legislation is critical to helping deter the theft and trafficking of stolen catalytic converters, making it easier to prosecute the criminals committing these crimes,” said Rep. Gabe Evans, R-Colorado. “...My constituents deserve real solutions, which the PART Act helps to deliver with a national framework to combat catalytic converter theft.”
Bottom line: This industry-supported bill will help prevent dealers from losing money on catalytic converter thefts, but it’s not a sure-thing yet. The NADA urges dealers to call their congress people to help make sure it passes.
