,i #aaith ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ebba ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #i1 #bjbe,mr4 ,baird 7for himself1 ,ms4 ,mc,collum1 ,mrs4 ,dingell1 ,ms4 ,craig1 ,mr4 ,magaziner1 ,mr4 ,costa1 ,mr4 ,mann1 ,mr4 ,carter of ,georgia1 and ,mr4 ,babin7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,transportation and ,infrastructure1 and the ,judiciary1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 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 parts1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,preventing ,auto ,recycling ,theft ,act or the ,,part ,act4 #b4 ,catalytic converter defined ,in this ,act1 the term catalytic converter means any of the following3 7#a7 ,any device installed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action to oxidize hydrocarbon 7,,hc7 and carbon monoxide 7,,co7 emissions to carbon dioxide 7,,co#b7 and water 7,h#b,o74 7#b7 ,a diesel oxidation catalyst4 7#c7 ,a diesel particulate filter4 #c4 ,requirements for new motor vehicles relating to catalytic converters 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,national ,highway ,traffic ,safety ,administration shall-- 7#a7 revise the motor vehicle theft prevention standard in section #eda4e of title #di1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 to include catalytic converters among the parts specified in subsection 7a7 of such section2 and 7#b7 update such regulations as are necessary to ensure that the requirements added by paragraph 7#a7 apply to any vehicle covered by part #efe of such title4 7b7 ,applicability ,notwithstanding any provision of chapter #cca of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 in the case of a vehicle described in paragraph 7#b7 of subsection 7a7 that has not been sold to the first purchaser 7as defined in section #ccaja of such title71 the requirements added by paragraph 7#a7 of such subsection shall apply to the vehicle beginning on the date that is #f months after the ,secretary makes the revision and updates required by such subsection1 regardless of the model year of the vehicle or the date on which the vehicle is manufactured4 7c7 ,compliance ,the identifying number affixed or inscribed required for catalytic converters under the revision described in subsection 7a77#a7 may include a unique part identification number that is included in a database that-- 7#a7 is accessible by law enforcement2 and 7#b7 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 number4 7d7 ,amendments ,to add definition of catalytic converter ,section #ccaja of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking ,in this chapter-- and inserting ,in this chapter32 7#b7 in each of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#aa7-- 7,a7 by inserting ,the ,term after the enumerator2 and 7,b7 by adding a paragraph heading the text of which comprises the term defined in the paragraph2 7#c7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#aa7 as paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#ab71 respectively2 and 7#d7 by inserting before paragraph 7#b7 7as so redesignated7 the following3 7#a7 ,catalytic converter ,the term catalytic converter means any of the following3 7,a7 ,any device installed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action to oxidize hydrocarbon 7,,hc7 and carbon monoxide 7,,co7 emissions to carbon dioxide 7,,co#b7 and water 7,h#b,o74 7,b7 ,a diesel oxidation catalyst4 7,c7 ,a diesel particulate filter4 4 7e7 ,marking of catalytic converters notwithstanding an exemption ,section #ccajf of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#c7 as paragraph 7#d72 and 7,c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#b7 the following3 7#c7 a certification that the catalytic converter will be marked in accordance with sections #ccaja through #ccajd1 including any associated regulation2 and 2 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following3 7f7 ,requirements for marking catalytic converters 7#a7 ,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 #ccaja through #ccajd1 including any associated regulation4 7#b7 ,unique part identification numbers ,in promulgating regulations under paragraph 7#a71 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 7as defined in section #ccaaa7;b77#c77 that is included in a database that is accessible by law enforcement and that allows for the retrieval of the full vehicle identification number4 4 #d4 ,grant program for ,,vin stamping 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,transportation shall establish a program to provide grants to eligible entities to carry out covered activities1 excluding wages1 related to catalytic converters4 7b7 ,application ,to be eligible for a grant under this section1 an eligible entity shall submit an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7c7 ,eligible entities ,in this section1 eligible entities are the following3 7#a7 ,law enforcement agencies4 7#b7 ,automobile dealers4 7#c7 ,owners and lessees of centrally maintained vehicle fleets4 7#d7 ,automobile repair shops and service centers4 7#e7 ,nonprofit organizations4 7d7 ,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 vehicles4 ,such stamping shall be-- 7#a7 in a typed font and not handwritten2 and 7#b7 covered by applying a coat of high-visibility1 high-heat theft deterrence paint4 7e7 ,requirement ,in carrying out the program under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall ensure that each recipient of a grant is able to provide die or pin stamping services described in subsection 7d7 to the public4 7f7 ,prioritization ,in making grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall prioritize-- 7#a7 eligible entities operating in the areas with the highest need for die or pin stamping described in subsection 7d71 including the areas with the highest rates of catalytic converter theft2 and 7#b7 eligible entities that are in possession of motor vehicles that are subject to section #c7;b74 7g7 ,procedures for marking ,in carrying out the program established under subsection 7a71 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-visibility1 high-heat theft deterrence paint without damaging the function of such converter4 7h7 ,annual report ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter for #aj years1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the program established under subsection 7a7 that includes a description of the progress1 results1 and any findings of the program1 including the total number of catalytic converters marked under the program and1 to the extent known1 whether any catalytic converters marked under the program were stolen and the outcome of any criminal investigation into the threats4 7i7 ,funding 7#a7 ,unobligated funding available ,of the unobligated balances appropriated by the ,american ,rescue ,plan ,act of #bjba1 #g1jjj1jjj shall be made available to carry out this section4 7#b7 ,authorization of appropriations ,in the event that the total of #g1jjj1jjj of the funds described under paragraph 7#a7 may not be made available to carry out this section1 there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section an amount equal to the remaining funding necessary to total #g1jjj1jjj4 7j7 ,centrally maintained vehicle fleet defined ,in this section1 the term centrally maintained vehicle fleet means a group of vehicles for which each aspect of management1 including maintenance1 repair1 fuel management1 and vehicle acquisition1 is overseen and controlled by a single entity4 #e4 ,requirements for purchase of catalytic converters and retention of seller information 7a7 ,inclusion of catalytic converters ,paragraph 7#g7 of section #ccaja of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code 7as redesignated by section #c7;d771 is amended-- 7#a7 in subparagraph 7,k71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7#b7 by redesignating subparagraph 7,l7 as subparagraph 7,m72 7#c7 by inserting after subparagraph 7,k71 the following3 7,l7 the catalytic converter2 and 2 and 7#d7 in subparagraph 7,m71 as so redesignated1 by striking subclauses 7,a7-7,k7 of this clause and inserting subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,l7 of this paragraph4 7b7 ,retention of records ,section #ccaaa of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a71 in the subsection heading1 by striking ,general requirements and inserting ,prohibitions related to selling motor vehicle parts2 7#b7 by redesignating subsections 7b7 and 7c7 as subsections 7c7 and 7d71 respectively2 and 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7a7 the following3 7b7 ,retention of records 7#a7 ,requirement ,a person engaged in the business of salvaging1 dismantling1 recycling1 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 person1 including the following3 7,a7 ,the name1 address1 telephone number1 and a photocopy of a government-issued identification of the seller4 7,b7 ,with regard to the motor vehicle or motor vehicle from which the parts came1 the following3 7i7 ,the make4 7ii7 ,the model4 7iii7 ,the vehicle identification number or a unique part identification number marked1 etched1 or engraved on the converter that can be tied directly to the vehicle identification number of the vehicle4 7iv7 ,the date of purchase4 7#b7 ,duration of retention ,such person shall retain such information for a period of at least two years4 7#c7 ,definitions ,in this subsection3 7,a7 ,precious metals ,the term precious metals has the meaning given such term in section #aji-bg4eaja of title #da1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor regulation4 7,b7 ,unique part identification number ,the term unique part identification number1 with respect to a motor vehicle part1 means a unique part identification number that-- 7i7 is marked1 etched1 or engraved on the motor vehicle part2 and 7ii7 is tied directly to the vehicle identification number of the vehicle on which the part was originally installed4 4 7c7 ,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 with4 7d7 ,traceable form of payment 7#a7 ,in general ,any purchase or sale of a catalytic converter shall be made with a traceable form of payment1 including check and wire transfer4 7#b7 ,prohibition ,it shall be unlawful to sell or purchase any catalytic converter for cash or cryptocurrency4 7e7 ,regulations ,the ,attorney ,general shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section and the amendments made by this section1 including the enforcement and penalties that apply to a violation of this section and the amendments made by this section4 #f4 ,criminal penalties 7a7 ,theft of catalytic converters ,chapter #ca of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 by adding at the end the following3 #fga4 ,theft of catalytic converters 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,catalytic converter ,the term catalytic converter means any of the following3 7,a7 ,any device installed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action to oxidize hydrocarbon 7,,hc7 and carbon monoxide 7,,co7 emissions to carbon dioxide 7,,co#b7 and water 7,h#b,o74 7,b7 ,a diesel oxidation catalyst4 7,c7 ,a diesel particulate filter4 7#b7 ,precious metals ,the term precious metals has the meaning given the term in section #aji-bg4eaja of title #da1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor regulation4 7b7 ,offense ,it shall be unlawful to steal or knowingly and unlawfully take1 carry away1 or conceal a catalytic converter from the motor vehicle of another person1 or knowingly purchase such catalytic converter with the intent to distribute1 sell1 or dispose of the catalytic converter or any precious metal removed therefrom in interstate or foreign commerce4 7c7 ,penalty 7#a7 ,in general ,any person who violates subsection 7b7 shall be fined under this title1 imprisoned not more than #e years1 or both4 7#b7 ,concurrent sentences ,any term of imprisonment imposed on a person under paragraph 7#a7 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 conduct4 2 and 7#b7 in the table of sections for such chapter1 by adding at the end of the following3 #fga4 ,theft of catalytic converters4 4 7b7 ,definitions ,section #bcaa of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by inserting after for running on land but not on rails2 the following3 #8,precious metals' has the meaning given the term in section #aji-bg4eaja of title #da1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor regulation204 4 7c7 ,trafficking in car parts containing precious metals ,section #bcba of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7d7 ,trafficking in motor vehicle parts containing precious metals 7#a7 ,definition of catalytic converter ,in this subsection1 the term catalytic converter means any of the following3 7,a7 ,any device installed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action to oxidize hydrocarbon 7,,hc7 and carbon monoxide 7,,co7 emissions to carbon dioxide 7,,co#b7 and water 7,h#b,o74 7,b7 ,a diesel oxidation catalyst4 7,c7 ,a diesel particulate filter4 7#b7 ,offense ,it shall be unlawful to buy1 receive1 possess1 or obtain control of1 with intent to sell or otherwise dispose of1 a catalytic converter1 knowing that the catalytic converter has been stolen4 7#c7 ,penalty 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 any person who violates paragraph 7#b7 shall be fined under this title1 imprisoned not more than #e years1 or both4 7,b7 ,concurrent sentences ,any term of imprisonment imposed on a person under subparagraph 7,a7 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 conduct4 4 7d7 ,chop shops ,section #bcbb7;b7 of title #ah1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended to read as follows3 7b7 ,definition ,for purposes of this section1 the term chop shop means any building1 lot1 facility1 or other structure or premise where one or more persons engage in receiving1 concealing1 destroying1 disassembling1 dismantling1 reassembling1 or storing any motor vehicle or motor vehicle part that has been unlawfully obtained in order to alter1 counterfeit1 deface1 destroy1 disguise1 falsify1 forge1 obliterate1 extract any precious metal therefrom1 or remove the identify1 including the vehicle identification number or derivative thereof1 or other identification marking1 of the vehicle or vehicle part and to distribute1 sell1 or dispose of the vehicle or vehicle part1 or precious metal extracted from the vehicle or vehicle part1 in interstate or foreign commerce4 4