Relating to sales of catalytic converters to scrap metal dealers, and making penalties applicable

Under current law, a person is prohibited from selling scrap metal, which includes a catalytic converter detached from a motor vehicle, to a scrap metal dealer unless the person provides to the scrap metal dealer, at or before the time of sale, the person’s name, address, and place of business, if any, and presents to the scrap metal dealer a valid government-issued photo identification. A scrap metal dealer is required to keep a confidential register or log of each transaction, including a record of the required information provided by the seller. All records and information must be retained for at least two years, and must be provided to a law enforcement agency or other officer or employee designated by a county or city upon request during normal business hours as part of an investigation. A scrap metal dealer is prohibited from making an initial purchase of scrap metal from a person without demanding and receiving the required transaction information. However, after an initial transaction, a scrap metal dealer may only require the person’s name and place of business for subsequent purchases, provided the scrap metal dealer retains all information received during the initial transaction. A person who violates these provisions is subject to a civil penalty of between $100 and $1,000. This bill requires a person selling a catalytic converter to sign a statement swearing or affirming that the catalytic converter is owned by the person and that the catalytic converter was not taken from a vehicle without the vehicle owner’s consent. The seller must submit the statement to the scrap metal dealer. The bill requires a scrap metal dealer to demand and receive the required information for every transaction involving a catalytic converter. Under current law, transactions for the sale of catalytic converters in which the total sale price is $75 or less are exempt from the scrap metal transaction information and recordkeeping requirements.27 to any sale of a catalytic converter.