Requiring the seller of a catalytic converter or associated parts to provide certain information, and providing penalties

Current law requires all scrap metal transactions for the sale of catalytic converters totaling more than $75 to meet certain requirements. A person who sells the parts must provide identifying information to the scrap metal dealer and the dealer must keep a confidential record of each transaction. In addition, payments for the parts must be made by check or electronic funds transfer. A person who violates these provisions is subject to a civil penalty of between $100 and $1,000. This bill prohibits the sale of a catalytic converter or any nonferrous part of a catalytic converter unless it is purchased as part of a motor vehicle or the person selling it provides the vehicle identification number of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter or part originated and reasonable proof that the person owns the catalytic converter or part or is authorized to sell the property on behalf of the owner. Reasonable proof of ownership includes but is not limited to a receipt or bill of sale. Reasonable proof of authorization to sell the property includes but is not limited to a signed letter on the owner’s letterhead, dated no more than days before the date of sale, authorizing the person to sell the property. The bill applies to all sales of catalytic converters or nonferrous parts of catalytic converters, and does not otherwise affect the requirements under current law for scrap metal transactions involving catalytic converters totaling more than $75. A person who sells a catalytic converter or any nonferrous part of a catalytic converter without providing the required information commits a serious misdemeanor. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by confinement for no more than one year and a fine of at least $430 but not more than $2,560.