New Catalytic Converter Law Looks To Curb Soaring Thefts

SEATTLE — A new law designed to make it more difficult for thieves to fence stolen catalytic converters takes effect Friday, barring most cash transactions and instituting a three-day waiting period for sellers to receive payments by check, among other changes.

Lawmakers unanimously approved House Bill 1815 in March, citing skyrocketing catalytic thefts across the region. The devices contain valuable metals and have become an increasingly popular target for thieves looking to turn them around for a quick profit. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Cindy Ryu (D-Shoreline), said the new law will help make catalytic converters a less attractive target and keep families from losing their primary mode of transportation or having to shell out thousands for costly repairs.

"Stolen catalytic converters contain precious metals which can be sold for quick cash," Ryu said in February. "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."

The new law requires scrapyards and wreckers to keep better documentation of all sales and establish proof of ownership, along with instituting new fines for failing to comply and establishing a training program for law enforcement agencies. Many police departments around the region have stood up "CATCON ID" programs, which also offer residents free opportunities to get their catalytic converters painted and engraved, making them easier to track and harder to sell.

Here are a few highlights of what's included in the law:

• Additional documentation requirements of the scrap metal recyclers and vehicle wreckers.
• A three-day cooling off period for them to make payments beyond $30 to sellers.
• Creates a Consumer Protection Act violation.
• While not creating new crimes, imposes fines of $1,000 per catalytic converter for violations of existing metal theft laws.
• Adds an emergency clause while giving several weeks for businesses to adopt these new practices.
• Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs will establish a grant and training program to assist local law enforcement agencies targeting metal theft.

The catalytic converter law joins a handful of other changes taking effect July 1, including a new ban on high-capacity gun magazines and higher fees for new and replacement license plates.