Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act

Summary#

This bill is called the Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act (PART Act). It defines "catalytic converter" and requires federal vehicle rules to treat catalytic converters as parts that must be marked and tracked. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must start rulemaking within 180 days to require marking of converters and to update related regulations. The bill adds marking requirements even when an exemption would otherwise apply and allows markings to include a unique part identification number in a law enforcement-accessible database.

The bill creates a grant program, funded with $7,000,000 in unobligated American Rescue Plan Act money, for eligible entities (including law enforcement, dealers, fleet owners, repair shops, and nonprofits) to die- or pin-stamp VINs or unique part IDs on catalytic converters and apply high-visibility, high-heat theft-deterrent paint. Grants must be used to stamp converters at no cost to vehicle owners or customers. The Department of Transportation must report to Congress annually for 10 years on program results.

The bill also changes rules for buying and selling catalytic converters and other motor vehicle parts containing precious metals. Sellers must provide their name, address, phone number, a photocopy of government ID, and the VIN or tied unique part ID. Buyers must retain that information for at least 2 years. It becomes unlawful to sell or buy a catalytic converter with removed or tampered markings, and sales must use traceable payment methods (for example checks or wire transfers); cash and digital asset payments are prohibited. The Attorney General must write regulations to enforce these rules.

Finally, the bill creates new federal criminal offenses and penalties in title 18 for stealing catalytic converters, for knowingly buying or possessing stolen converters with intent to sell or dispose of them, and it expands the definition of a "chop shop." The new theft and trafficking offenses carry penalties of fines, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both.

What it means for you#

• Vehicle owners: Your vehicle's catalytic converter may be marked with a VIN or unique part ID, and eligible entities can provide stamping at no cost under the grant program.
• Vehicle sellers and recyclers: If you sell parts that contain precious metals you must provide your contact details and ID to the purchaser and record the VIN or unique part ID; keep records for at least 2 years.
• Buyers of catalytic converters: You must use traceable payment methods; buying or selling a converter whose identifying marks were removed is unlawful.
• Law enforcement: The bill creates new tools, a database-accessible unique part ID option, and new federal theft and trafficking offenses to investigate and prosecute catalytic converter theft.
• Vehicle manufacturers and NHTSA: NHTSA must propose rule changes within 180 days to include converters in theft-prevention and marking rules; some vehicles will be covered regardless of model year once rules are issued.

Expenses#

• The bill directs $7,000,000 of unobligated American Rescue Plan Act funds to the VIN-stamping grant program. If those exact funds are unavailable, Congress may appropriate the remaining amount needed to reach $7,000,000.
• No publicly available information on other federal cost estimates, compliance costs for manufacturers, or enforcement costs beyond the grant funding.

Proponents' View#

The bill is written to prevent theft of catalytic converters and related precious-metal car parts by requiring markings, recordkeeping, traceable payments, a stamping grant program, and new criminal penalties. These measures are intended to make parts harder to sell if stolen and to help law enforcement trace stolen parts.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.