Owens Co-Sponsors Bill to Prevent Catalytic Converter Thefts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) co-sponsored the Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act, which aims to reduce catalytic converter thefts by marking identifying information on catalytic converters, addressing how the parts are purchased, and strengthening enforceability of catalytic converter theft for local law enforcement officers.

“The recent spike in auto crime rates across the nation is unacceptable, and our brave law enforcement officers need every resource available to keep our neighborhoods safe,” said Rep. Owens. “I am proud to co-sponsor the PART Act, which will help law enforcement officers locate stolen vehicular parts expeditiously, enforce the law, and bring justice to Americans affected by these crimes.” 

The PART Act seeks to reduce catalytic converter thefts by allowing law enforcement officers to link stolen parts to the vehicle from which they originate by requiring new vehicles to have a VIN number stamped onto the converter, creating a grant program through which entities can stamp VIN numbers onto catalytic converters of existing vehicles, improving record keeping standards for purchasers of used catalytic converters, and establishing enforceability of laws around catalytic converter theft by codifying these crimes as a criminal offense.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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