TYSONS, Va. (May 25, 2023)—The National Automobile Dealers Association, joined by 20 industry partners, sent a letter today to the leaders of the U.S. House and Senate Commerce Committees in support of H.R. 621/S. 154, a bipartisan bill to combat rising catalytic convertor theft. The “Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act” addresses the growing national problem of catalytic converter thefts, which are costing businesses and vehicle owners millions of dollars annually. 

America’s franchised car dealers commend Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and JD Vance (R-Ohio) for introducing the Senate bill and Reps. Jim Baird (R-Ind.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), and Michael Guest (R-Miss.) for reintroducing the House companion bill. 

“Catalytic converter theft continues to rise across the country, with no clear end in sight,” said NADA President and CEO Mike Stanton. “Common sense legislation like the PART Act would help give law enforcement the tools they need to deter catalytic converter thefts.”

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, thefts increased by 1,215% between 2019 and 2022. Due to valuable precious metals used in the devices, stolen catalytic converters can garner anywhere from $20 to $350 on the black market; however, the replacement cost to vehicle owners can be as high as $2,500. At present, thefts are hard to combat as catalytic convertors are not easily traceable and can be stolen from unattended vehicles in mass quantities, including at dealership lots.

The PART Act would give local law enforcement additional resources to prosecute thieves by requiring new vehicles to have traceable numbers stamped on the catalytic converter during assembly. The bill also increases record keeping requirements for purchasers and establishes a federal criminal penalty for the theft, sale, trafficking or known purchase of stolen catalytic converters of up to five years in jail. The organizations who have signed the letter urge Congress to pass this legislation that provides a federal framework needed for local law enforcement to combat catalytic converter thefts.

Signers of the letter are:

• National Automobile Dealers Association

• American Car Rental Association

• American Property Casualty Insurance Association

• American Rental Association 

• American Truck Dealers

• American Trucking Associations

• Automotive Recyclers Association

• Elite Catering & Event Professionals

• Major Cities Chiefs Association

• NAFA Fleet Management Association

• National Association of EMTs

• National Auto Auction Association

• National Automatic Merchandising Association

• National Consumers League

• National Insurance Crime Bureau

• National Private Truck Council

• National RV Dealers Association

• National Salvage Vehicle Reporting Program

• National Tank Truck Carriers

• NTEA — The Association for the Work Truck Industry

• Truck Renting and Leasing Association

Read the full letter. Learn more about catalytic converter theft.