Hoosier State Today

A bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN) would make stealing a catalytic converter a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison.

The “Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act,” currently pending in the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, would also require all new vehicles to have traceable, unique ID numbers stamped on their catalytic converters.

It would also create a grant program to stamp VINs on the catalytic converters of existing vehicles, and to improve record-keeping standards for purchasers of used catalytic converters.

“In West Central Indiana and across the country, catalytic converter theft has had a dramatic impact on vehicle and business owners, leading them to await costly repairs with few tools to prevent similar crimes in the future,” said Baird. “By closing long-exploited loopholes and strengthening law enforcement’s ability to locate stolen parts and enforce the law, we can create a safer environment for vehicle owners and put a stop to these crimes once and for all.”

In May, a group of 13 automotive and industry associations sent a letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and his committee’s ranking Republican, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash) calling for passage of the bill, which was first introduced on Jan. 14.

Supporters include the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), the National Automobile Dealers Association, American Car Rental Association, American Truck Dealers, American Trucking Associations and National RV Dealers Association.

“Congress must pass H.R. 6394,” NIADA CEO Robert Voltmann said. “It is a critical piece of legislation to combat catalytic converter theft. This legislation provides local law enforcement with the necessary support needed to combat rising catalytic converter theft.”

NIADA, which has 40,000 used car dealer members, is one of the nation's largest trade associations.

A catalytic converter is a filter bolted to the underside of any gas-powered car. It's part of the car's exhaust system, intended to reduce emissions. 

 According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), there were 108 catalytic converter thefts per month on average in 2018, 282 average monthly thefts in 2019, and 1,203 average thefts per month in 2020. 

 In Dec. 2020, NICB reports there were 2,347 thefts.

 The top five states for catalytic converter thefts according to NICB are California, Texas, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Illinois.

“Removing a catalytic converter takes only minutes using some basic, readily-available, battery-operated tools from a local hardware store,” said NICB President and CEO David Glawe. 

According to Dennis Lavaige of C & D Scrap Metal in Houston, thieves desire them because they include the rare metals Platinum, rhodium and palladium.

“You have platinum for around $800 or $900 dollars an ounce. You have palladium for around $2,200 an ounce. You have rhodium that's $18 to $20,000 an ounce, " he said.

Baird, 77, of Greencastle, was first elected to Congress in 2018, winning 64 percent of the vote. He replaced U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita (R). Baird, a Vietnam veteran, previously served in the Indiana House of Representatives (2010-2018) and as a Putnam County commissioner (2006-2010).

Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District includes Crawfordsville, Lafayette, parts of Kokomo and the western suburbs of Indianapolis.

U.S. Rep. Greg Pence (R-IN), who represents the state's 6th District, including Muncie, New Castle and East Central Indiana, is a co-sponsor of the bill.

Other H.R. 6394 co-sponsors are U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (R-MN), U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), U.S. Rep. Joseph Morelle (D-NY), U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson (R-PA), U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA), U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR), U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, IV (R-GA), U.S. Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX), U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs (R-NY), U.S. Rep. David Trone (D-MD), U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX), U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips (D-MN), U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), U.S. Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX), U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Patty), U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins (D-NY), U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS), U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), U.S. Rep. Ann Kuster (D-NH) and U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA).