What's happening
This bill establishes strict documentation, recordkeeping, and verification requirements for buying and selling catalytic converters to prevent theft and fraud.
Why it matters
Requires sellers to prove ownership. By mandating that sellers provide vehicle details (year, make, model, VIN) and proof of ownership or repair documentation, the bill makes it harder for thieves to profit from stolen catalytic converters, potentially reducing theft rates.
Imposes strict verification on buyers. Buyers must verify that the catalytic converter matches the manufacturer's specifications for the vehicle it supposedly came from, increasing accountability and deterring fraudulent or black-market transactions.
Creates robust recordkeeping obligations. Purchasers must keep detailed electronic records for five years and make them available to law enforcement within 72 hours. This long-term and accessible documentation aids investigations and strengthens the ability to trace stolen goods.
Establishes strong penalties for violations. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $5,000 per incident and criminal charges (class A misdemeanor), providing a significant deterrent for individuals or businesses considering circumventing these requirements.
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Who cares
Catalytic converter sellers
Sellers would have to provide vehicle identifying information and proof of an ownership interest, with violations subject to civil penalties of up to $5,000 each and classification as a class A misdemeanor.
Garage and repair shop owners
Owners selling converters removed during repairs could provide the vehicle owner's name and address and related invoices instead of proof of an ownership interest.
Catalytic converter buyers and dealers
Buyers would have to reject undocumented or mismatched converters, keep electronic business purchase records for five years and allow police inspections, while dealers could not offer undocumented used or refurbished converters for sale.
Local police departments and State Police
Their representatives could inspect required purchase records on request, with records required to be available within 72 hours after purchase.
Headline styles
Track Catalytic Converter Sales
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Proof for Converter Sales
In Senate Committee · Consumer Protection · Sponsor Steve Rhoads
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1178
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 9, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. RA -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to certain requirements regarding catalytic converter transactions
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 392-k to read as follows:
§ 392-k. Requirements regarding purchases of catalytic converters. 1. For purposes of this section, "catalytic converter" shall mean an exhaust emission control device which modifies exhaust gas from an internal combustion engine by catalyzing a redox reaction.
2. In addition to any requirements of this chapter, an individual attempting to sell a catalytic converter to a purchaser shall provide to such purchaser the following information:
(a) the year, make, model and vehicle identification number for the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed; and
(b) a copy of the certificate of title or other documentation indicating that the seller has an ownership interest in the vehicle described in paragraph (a) of this subdivision, or where the seller is the owner of a garage or repair shop and the catalytic converter was removed in connection with a motor vehicle repair, the name and address of the vehicle's owner and copies of all related invoices.
3. A purchaser shall not purchase a catalytic converter from a seller who does not comply with the requirements of subdivision two of this section.
4. A purchaser shall not purchase a catalytic converter unless such purchaser determines that such catalytic converter is consistent with the manufacturer's specifications for a catalytic converter from the vehicle which the seller provided information as required by paragraph (a) of subdivision two of this section.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00440-01-5
5. A purchaser shall keep an accurate electronic record of each purchase of a catalytic converter made in the course of the purchaser's business. Such record shall be in English and shall include any additional information required by this chapter.
6. A purchaser shall preserve each record required pursuant to subdivision five of this section until the fifth anniversary date that such record was made. Such records shall be available for inspection not later than seventy-two hours after the date of purchase.
7. On request, a purchaser shall permit representatives of any local police department or the state police to inspect all records required to be kept pursuant to this section.
8. (a) No person shall sell to a private party, or to a dealer, a used or refurbished catalytic converter without providing the purchaser the information and documentation required by subdivision two of this section.
(b) No dealer shall purchase and/or offer for sale in the state, a used or refurbished catalytic converter for which it does not possess the information required by subdivision two of this section.
9. Any person, firm, corporation or association who violates the provisions of this section shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than five thousand dollars for each such violation.
10. A violation of this section shall be a class A misdemeanor.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.