Bill To Curb Catalytic Converter Thefts Passes WA House

OLYMPIA, WA — Legislation designed to stem the tide of catalytic converter thefts across Washington passed the House over the weekend, during an uncommon Saturday floor session.

Rep. Cindy Ryu's (D-Shoreline) House Bill 1815 aims to cut down on illegal sales by enacting new rules for scrap metal businesses, requiring buyers to record detailed documentation for each catalytic converter they obtain, including proof the device is from a vehicle registered in the seller's name.

Catalytic converters contain valuable metals and have become an increasingly popular target for thieves looking to turn them around for a quick profit. Ryu says her bill would make that harder to accomplish and help keep families from losing their primary mode of transportation or having to seek out costly repairs.

"Stolen catalytic converters contain precious metals which can be sold for quick cash," Ryu said in a statement. "However, the amount that thieves receive for a stolen catalytic converter is typically around 10 percent of the total costs suffered by the owners of the vehicles they are stolen. Older vehicles are effectively totaled by catalytic converter theft, compounding the harm for people who depend on their vehicle to get to work, or to drive their kids to school."

Ryu's bill would also establish a new grant program, run by the Washinton Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, designed to help law enforcement agencies target theft and illegal sales.

"We need to make sure law enforcement has the resources and training to deter catalytic converter theft and respond adequately when it happens," said Rep. Jesse Johnson (D-Federal Way), one of the bill's co-sponsors. "This legislation lays the groundwork to reverse the massive spike in theft that communities around our state are experiencing."

The bill passed the House with bipartisan support, with a final vote of 68-30, and it awaits introduction before the Senate. Another bill in the Senate would prohibit scrapyard from paying cash for catalytic converters and bar resale of the devices by non-commercial sellers.