What's happening
This bill establishes stricter documentation, recordkeeping, and verification requirements for the sale and purchase of catalytic converters in New York.
Why it matters
Makes it much harder to sell stolen catalytic converters. by requiring sellers to provide detailed proof of ownership, including the vehicle’s VIN and title or, for repair shops, documentation tying the part to a specific customer and job.
Imposes strict recordkeeping on buyers. , mandating that all transactions be logged electronically, preserved for at least five years, and made available to law enforcement within 72 hours—facilitating investigations into theft and trafficking.
Creates strong legal and financial consequences. for non-compliance, including civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation and classification of violations as a class A misdemeanor, which can carry significant criminal penalties.
Places new compliance burdens on auto businesses and scrap dealers. , potentially increasing operational costs and requiring the establishment of new protocols for verifying, recording, and storing transaction data.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Proof for Converter Sales
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
2 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer 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.
Track Catalytic Converter Sales
In Assembly Committee · Consumer Affairs And Protection · Sponsor Edward Ra
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
280
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. RHOADS, BORRELLO, OBERACKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Consumer 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
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00440-01-5
vehicle which the seller provided information as required by paragraph (a) of subdivision two of this section.
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.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to certain requirements regarding catalytic converter transactions
Purpose or general idea of bill
To require certain information regarding the purchase and sale of a catalytic converter to prevent thefts.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 392-k.
Section 392-k defines catalytic converters for the purpose of this bill; and outlines the requirements of a seller and those required of a purchaser of any catalytic converter.
Section 2 outlines the effective date.
Justification
This bill seeks to stop theft and illegal sale of catalytic converters statewide. By requiring certain information to be provided by a seller at the time of a transaction, and a purchaser to maintain certain info- mation, this will hinder thefts of catalytic converters and help police track down any thefts.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
None to the state.
Effective date
Effective immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.