[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5221 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5221
To prevent the theft of catalytic converters and other precious metal
car parts, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 9, 2025
Mr. Baird (for himself, Ms. McCollum, Mrs. Dingell, Ms. Craig, Mr.
Magaziner, Mr. Costa, Mr. Mann, Mr. Carter of Georgia, and Mr. Babin)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on
Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To prevent the theft of catalytic converters and other precious metal
car parts, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Preventing Auto Recycling Theft
Act'' or the ``PART Act''.
SEC. 2. CATALYTIC CONVERTER DEFINED.
In this Act, the term ``catalytic converter'' means any of the
following:
(1) Any device installed in the exhaust system of an
internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action to
oxidize hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to
carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>) and water (H<INF>2</INF>O).
(2) A diesel oxidation catalyst.
(3) A diesel particulate filter.
SEC. 3. REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW MOTOR VEHICLES RELATING TO CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration shall--
(1) revise the motor vehicle theft prevention standard in
section 541.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to
include catalytic converters among the parts specified in
subsection (a) of such section; and
(2) update such regulations as are necessary to ensure that
the requirements added by paragraph (1) apply to any vehicle
covered by part 565 of such title.
(b) Applicability.--Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 331 of
title 49, United States Code, in the case of a vehicle described in
paragraph (2) of subsection (a) that has not been sold to the first
purchaser (as defined in section 33101 of such title), the requirements
added by paragraph (1) of such subsection shall apply to the vehicle
beginning on the date that is 6 months after the Secretary makes the
revision and updates required by such subsection, regardless of the
model year of the vehicle or the date on which the vehicle is
manufactured.
(c) Compliance.--The identifying number affixed or inscribed
required for catalytic converters under the revision described in
subsection (a)(1) may include a unique part identification number that
is included in a database that--
(1) is accessible by law enforcement; and
(2) allows for the retrieval of the full vehicle
identification number of the motor vehicle in which the
catalytic converter was originally installed based on that part
identification number.
(d) Amendments To Add Definition of Catalytic Converter.--Section
33101 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``In
this chapter--'' and inserting ``In this chapter:'';
(2) in each of paragraphs (1) through (11)--
(A) by inserting ``The Term'' after the enumerator;
and
(B) by adding a paragraph heading the text of which
comprises the term defined in the paragraph;
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (11) as
paragraphs (2) through (12), respectively; and
(4) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated)
the following:
``(1) Catalytic converter.--The term `catalytic converter'
means any of the following:
``(A) Any device installed in the exhaust system of
an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic
action to oxidize hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide
(CO) emissions to carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>) and
water (H<INF>2</INF>O).
``(B) A diesel oxidation catalyst.
``(C) A diesel particulate filter.''.
(e) Marking of Catalytic Converters Notwithstanding an Exemption.--
Section 33106 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(4); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) a certification that the catalytic converter will be
marked in accordance with sections 33101 through 33104,
including any associated regulation; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f) Requirements for Marking Catalytic Converters.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator of the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall promulgate
regulations that require a catalytic converter on a vehicle
line to be marked conspicuously in accordance with sections
33101 through 33104, including any associated regulation.
``(2) Unique part identification numbers.--In promulgating
regulations under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall allow for
a marking described in that paragraph to include a unique part
identification number (as defined in section 33111(b)(3)) that
is included in a database that is accessible by law enforcement
and that allows for the retrieval of the full vehicle
identification number.''.
SEC. 4. GRANT PROGRAM FOR VIN STAMPING.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish
a program to provide grants to eligible entities to carry out covered
activities, excluding wages, related to catalytic converters.
(b) Application.--To be eligible for a grant under this section, an
eligible entity shall submit an application at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(c) Eligible Entities.--In this section, eligible entities are the
following:
(1) Law enforcement agencies.
(2) Automobile dealers.
(3) Owners and lessees of centrally maintained vehicle
fleets.
(4) Automobile repair shops and service centers.
(5) Nonprofit organizations.
(d) Covered Activities.--Grant funds provided under this section
may be used for equipment and materials necessary to carry out die or
pin stamping of either the full vehicle identification number or a
unique part identification number in a law enforcement accessible
database that allows for the retrieval of the full vehicle
identification number onto the outside of the catalytic converter in a
conspicuous manner on motor vehicles. Such stamping shall be--
(1) in a typed font and not handwritten; and
(2) covered by applying a coat of high-visibility, high-
heat theft deterrence paint.
(e) Requirement.--In carrying out the program under subsection (a),
the Secretary shall ensure that each recipient of a grant is able to
provide die or pin stamping services described in subsection (d) to the
public.
(f) Prioritization.--In making grants under this section, the
Secretary shall prioritize--
(1) eligible entities operating in the areas with the
highest need for die or pin stamping described in subsection
(d), including the areas with the highest rates of catalytic
converter theft; and
(2) eligible entities that are in possession of motor
vehicles that are subject to section 3(b).
(g) Procedures for Marking.--In carrying out the program
established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall issue such
regulations as are necessary to establish procedures to mark catalytic
converters of vehicles most likely to be targeted for theft with unique
identification numbers using a combination of die or pin stamping and
high-visibility, high-heat theft deterrence paint without damaging the
function of such converter.
(h) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 10 years, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the program established
under subsection (a) that includes a description of the progress,
results, and any findings of the program, including the total number of
catalytic converters marked under the program and, to the extent known,
whether any catalytic converters marked under the program were stolen
and the outcome of any criminal investigation into the threats.
(i) Funding.--
(1) Unobligated funding available.--Of the unobligated
balances appropriated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021,
$7,000,000 shall be made available to carry out this section.
(2) Authorization of appropriations.--In the event that the
total of $7,000,000 of the funds described under paragraph (1)
may not be made available to carry out this section, there are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section an
amount equal to the remaining funding necessary to total
$7,000,000.
(j) Centrally Maintained Vehicle Fleet Defined.--In this section,
the term ``centrally maintained vehicle fleet'' means a group of
vehicles for which each aspect of management, including maintenance,
repair, fuel management, and vehicle acquisition, is overseen and
controlled by a single entity.
SEC. 5. REQUIREMENTS FOR PURCHASE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND RETENTION
OF SELLER INFORMATION.
(a) Inclusion of Catalytic Converters.--Paragraph (7) of section
33101 of title 49, United States Code (as redesignated by section
3(d)), is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (K), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (L) as subparagraph (M);
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (K), the following:
``(L) the catalytic converter; and''; and
(4) in subparagraph (M), as so redesignated, by striking
``subclauses (A)-(K) of this clause'' and inserting
``subparagraphs (A) through (L) of this paragraph''.
(b) Retention of Records.--Section 33111 of title 49, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), in the subsection heading, by
striking ``General Requirements'' and inserting ``Prohibitions
Related to Selling Motor Vehicle Parts'';
(2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections
(c) and (d), respectively; and
(3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
``(b) Retention of Records.--
``(1) Requirement.--A person engaged in the business of
salvaging, dismantling, recycling, or repairing motor vehicles
or motor vehicle parts that contain precious metals shall
retain the records of any seller of motor vehicle parts that
sells such a part to such person, including the following:
``(A) The name, address, telephone number, and a
photocopy of a government-issued identification of the
seller.
``(B) With regard to the motor vehicle or motor
vehicle from which the parts came, the following:
``(i) The make.
``(ii) The model.
``(iii) The vehicle identification number
or a unique part identification number marked,
etched, or engraved on the converter that can
be tied directly to the vehicle identification
number of the vehicle.
``(iv) The date of purchase.
``(2) Duration of retention.--Such person shall retain such
information for a period of at least two years.
``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Precious metals.--The term `precious metals'
has the meaning given such term in section 109-27.5101
of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation.
``(B) Unique part identification number.--The term
`unique part identification number', with respect to a
motor vehicle part, means a unique part identification
number that--
``(i) is marked, etched, or engraved on the
motor vehicle part; and
``(ii) is tied directly to the vehicle
identification number of the vehicle on which
the part was originally installed.''.
(c) Prohibition on Sale of Certain Catalytic Converters.--It shall
be unlawful to sell or purchase any catalytic converter which has had
identifying markings removed or otherwise tampered with.
(d) Traceable Form of Payment.--
(1) In general.--Any purchase or sale of a catalytic
converter shall be made with a traceable form of payment,
including check and wire transfer.
(2) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful to sell or purchase
any catalytic converter for cash or cryptocurrency.
(e) Regulations.--The Attorney General shall prescribe regulations
to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section,
including the enforcement and penalties that apply to a violation of
this section and the amendments made by this section.
SEC. 6. CRIMINAL PENALTIES.
(a) Theft of Catalytic Converters.--Chapter 31 of title 18, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 671. Theft of catalytic converters
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Catalytic converter.--The term `catalytic converter'
means any of the following:
``(A) Any device installed in the exhaust system of
an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic
action to oxidize hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide
(CO) emissions to carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>) and
water (H<INF>2</INF>O).
``(B) A diesel oxidation catalyst.
``(C) A diesel particulate filter.
``(2) Precious metals.--The term `precious metals' has the
meaning given the term in section 109-27.5101 of title 41, Code
of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
``(b) Offense.--It shall be unlawful to steal or knowingly and
unlawfully take, carry away, or conceal a catalytic converter from the
motor vehicle of another person, or knowingly purchase such catalytic
converter with the intent to distribute, sell, or dispose of the
catalytic converter or any precious metal removed therefrom in
interstate or foreign commerce.
``(c) Penalty.--
``(1) In general.--Any person who violates subsection (b)
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5
years, or both.
``(2) Concurrent sentences.--Any term of imprisonment
imposed on a person under paragraph (1) shall run concurrently
with any other term of imprisonment imposed on a person at the
same time for an offense arising out of the same conduct.'';
and
(2) in the table of sections for such chapter, by adding at
the end of the following:
``671. Theft of catalytic converters.''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 2311 of title 18, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after ``for running on land but not on rails;''
the following:
```Precious metals' has the meaning given the term in section 109-
27.5101 of title 41, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation;''.''.
(c) Trafficking in Car Parts Containing Precious Metals.--Section
2321 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(d) Trafficking in Motor Vehicle Parts Containing Precious
Metals.--
``(1) Definition of catalytic converter.--In this
subsection, the term `catalytic converter' means any of the
following:
``(A) Any device installed in the exhaust system of
an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic
action to oxidize hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide
(CO) emissions to carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>) and
water (H<INF>2</INF>O).
``(B) A diesel oxidation catalyst.
``(C) A diesel particulate filter.
``(2) Offense.--It shall be unlawful to buy, receive,
possess, or obtain control of, with intent to sell or otherwise
dispose of, a catalytic converter, knowing that the catalytic
converter has been stolen.
``(3) Penalty.--
``(A) In general.--Subject to subparagraph (B), any
person who violates paragraph (2) shall be fined under
this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
``(B) Concurrent sentences.--Any term of
imprisonment imposed on a person under subparagraph (A)
shall run concurrently with any other term of
imprisonment imposed on the person at the same time for
an offense arising out of the same conduct.''.
(d) Chop Shops.--Section 2322(b) of title 18, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``(b) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `chop
shop' means any building, lot, facility, or other structure or premise
where one or more persons engage in receiving, concealing, destroying,
disassembling, dismantling, reassembling, or storing any motor vehicle
or motor vehicle part that has been unlawfully obtained in order to
alter, counterfeit, deface, destroy, disguise, falsify, forge,
obliterate, extract any precious metal therefrom, or remove the
identify, including the vehicle identification number or derivative
thereof, or other identification marking, of the vehicle or vehicle
part and to distribute, sell, or dispose of the vehicle or vehicle
part, or precious metal extracted from the vehicle or vehicle part, in
interstate or foreign commerce.''.
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