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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 4, 2023 11:52 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Frank A. Farry |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Stopping Catalytic Converter Robberies |
| Catalytic Converter robberies have been on an exponential rise across the country and here in the Commonwealth. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in demand for metals found in catalytic converters, an antipollution car part containing platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Recyclers typically pay $50 to $250 per catalytic converter which these robbers use for illegal purposes. These robberies have jumped over 325% from 2019 to 2020 as thieves can cut them from vehicles in a matter of seconds. Many thieves have targeted business’s vehicle fleets which has cost many companies and customers time and money. There has even been a nationwide crime ring that have stolen millions of dollars’ worth of catalytic converters across the country. Many states have introduced or passed legislation to help stop these robberies. In Arkansas, South Carolina, and Texas, the law requires a scrap metal buyer of used catalytic converters to maintain records of purchases. This includes proof of ownership, documentation of potential identifying marks, VIN of the vehicle from which the part is removed, the sellers home address and driver license number, license plate of the vehicle which brought in the part, and photo of the seller of the part. My legislation would also require scrap metal buyers to retain the item for 10 days before recycling or scrapping it so law enforcement could retrieve the item if it is deemed stolen. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation to help law enforcement stop these robberies and prevent our constituents from enduring the ordeal of their cars being robbed. |
Introduced as SB946