119-s2238

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2238 Introduced in Senate

    (IS) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
 S. 2238

 To prevent the theft of catalytic converters and other precious metal 
 car parts, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

 July 10, 2025

 Ms. Klobuchar (for herself and Mr. Moreno) introduced the following 
 bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, 
 Science, and Transportation

_______________________________________________________________________

 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. DEFINITION OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

 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 VEHICLE REGULATIONS RELATING TO 
 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (referred to in this section as the 
``Administrator'') shall--

    (1) issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the 
 motor vehicle theft prevention standard contained in 

section 541.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
 regulation), to include catalytic converters among the parts 
 specified in subsection

    (a) of that section;

    (2) issue a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise part 
 543 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or successor 
 regulations), to require that, notwithstanding the granting of 
 a petition under that part, all catalytic converters be marked 
 in accordance with 

section 541.5 of that title (as revised 
 pursuant to paragraph

    (1) ); and

    (3) update other regulations, as necessary, to ensure that, 
 with respect to catalytic converters, the requirements of 
 

section 541.5 and part 543 of title 49, Code of Federal 
 Regulations (as revised in accordance with paragraphs

    (1) and

    (2) , respectively), apply to any vehicle covered by part 565 of 
 that title (or successor regulations).

    (b) Application.--Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 331 of 
title 49, United States Code, in the case of a vehicle described in 

section 565.2 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor 
regulation), that has not been sold to the first purchaser (as defined 
in 

section 33101 of title 49, United States Code), the requirements 
added to 

section 541.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a 
successor regulation), by the Administrator in accordance with 
paragraph

    (1) of subsection

    (a) shall apply to the vehicle beginning on 
the date that is 180 days after the date on which the Administrator 
makes the revisions and updates required by that subsection, regardless 
of the model year of the vehicle or the date on which the vehicle is 
manufactured.
            (c) Definition of Catalytic Converter.--

Section 33101 of title 49, 
United States Code, is amended--

    (1) in each of paragraphs

    (1) through

    (11) --
        (A) by inserting ``The term'' after the paragraph 
 designation; and
        (B) by adding a paragraph heading the text of which 
 comprises the term defined in the paragraph;

    (2) by redesignating paragraphs

    (1) through

    (11) as 
 paragraphs

    (2) through

    (12) , respectively; and

    (3) in the matter preceding paragraph

    (2) (as so 
 redesignated), by striking ``chapter--'' and inserting the 
 following: ``chapter:
 ``

    (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.''.
            (d) 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'' at the 
 end;
        (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 associated regulations; 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 requiring catalytic converters on a vehicle line to 
 be marked in accordance with sections 33101 through 33104, 
 including associated regulations.
 ``

    (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)

    (1) ) that 
 is included in a database that is accessible by law 
 enforcement.''.

SEC. 4. GRANT PROGRAM FOR VIN STAMPING.

    (a) 

=== Definitions. ===
-In this section:

    (1) Covered activity.--
        (A) In general.--The term ``covered activity'', 
 with respect to a motor vehicle, means die or pin 
 stamping of an identification number described in 
 subparagraph
        (B) on the outside of the catalytic 
 converter in a conspicuous manner.
        (B) Identification number described.--An 
 identification number referred to in subparagraph
        (A) is--
            (i) the full vehicle identification number 
 of the motor vehicle in which the catalytic 
 converter was originally installed; or
            (ii) a unique part identification number 
 that is included in a database that--
            (I) is accessible by law 
 enforcement; and
            (II) 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.
            (C) Stamping.--For purposes of subparagraph
        (A) , 
 the term ``stamping'' means stamping--
            (i) in a typed (not handwritten) font; and
            (ii) covered through the application of a 
 coat of high-visibility, high-heat theft 
 deterrence paint.

    (2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
        (A) a law enforcement agency;
        (B) an automobile dealer;
            (C) an owner or lessee of a centrally maintained 
 vehicle fleet;
            (D) an automobile repair shop and service center; 
 and
        (E) a nonprofit organization.

    (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
 of Transportation.

    (b) Establishment.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a program to 
provide grants to eligible entities to carry out covered activities 
(excluding wages) relating to catalytic converters.
            (c) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Secretary an 
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require.
            (d) Requirement.--A covered activity carried out with a grant 
awarded under this section shall be carried out at no cost to the owner 
of--

    (1) the motor vehicle being stamped; or

    (2) any motor vehicle otherwise receiving service from an 
 eligible entity.

    (e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary 
shall give priority to--

    (1) eligible entities operating in areas with the highest 
 need for covered activities, including the areas with the 
 highest rates of catalytic converter theft, as determined by 
 the Secretary; and

    (2) eligible entities that are in possession of motor 
 vehicles that are subject to the requirement described in 
 

section 3

    (b) .

    (f) Procedures for Marking.--In carrying out the grant program 
under this section, 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 the catalytic converter.

    (g) Annual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 10 years, the 
Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the grant program 
established under subsection

    (b) that includes a description of the 
progress, results, and any findings of the grant program, including--

    (1) the total number of catalytic converters marked under 
 the grant program; and

    (2)
        (A) to the extent known, whether any catalytic 
 converters marked under the grant program were stolen; and
        (B) the outcome of any criminal investigation relating to 
 those thefts.

    (h) Funding.--

    (1) Unobligated funding available.--Of the unobligated 
 amounts appropriated by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 
 (Public Law 117-2; 135 Stat. 4), $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 in paragraph

    (1) may 
 not be made available to carry out this section, there is 
 authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section an 
 amount equal to the remaining funding necessary to total 
 $7,000,000.

SEC. 5. REQUIREMENTS FOR PURCHASE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND RETENTION 
 OF SELLER INFORMATION.

    (a) Inclusion of Catalytic Converters.--

Section 33101

    (7) of title 
49, United States Code (as redesignated by 

section 3
            (c) ), is amended--

    (1) in subparagraph
        (K) , by striking ``and'' after the 
 semicolon at the end;

    (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 the 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) === Definitions. ===
-In this subsection:
 ``
        (A) 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 a 
 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.
 ``

    (2) Requirement.--A seller of motor vehicle parts that 
 contain precious metals, including a person engaged in the 
 business of salvaging, dismantling, recycling, or repairing 
 motor vehicle parts that contain precious metals, shall provide 
 to a purchaser on the sale of the motor vehicle part--
 ``
        (A) the name, address, telephone number, and a 
 photocopy of a government-issued identification of the 
 seller; and
 ``
        (B) the vehicle identification number of the 
 motor vehicle on which the motor vehicle part was 
 originally installed or the unique part identification 
 number.
 ``

    (3) Duration of retention.--A person shall retain the 
 information described in paragraph

    (2) for a period of not less 
 than 2 years.''.
            (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 Forms of Payment.--

    (1) In general.--Any sale or purchase of a catalytic 
 converter shall be made with a traceable form of payment, such 
 as a check or a wire transfer.

    (2) Prohibition.--It shall be unlawful to sell or purchase 
 a catalytic converter for cash or a digital asset.

    (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 
another person's motor vehicle, or knowingly purchase such a 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 the person at 
 the same time for an offense arising out of the same 
 conduct.''; and

    (2) in the table of sections, by adding at the end 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 1 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 
identity, 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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