New law aims to curb catalytic converter thefts

Beginning Aug. 1, 2023, it’ll be more difficult to sell stolen catalytic converters to scrap metal dealers, and a new law will also hold those dealers more accountable for accepting stolen goods.

Sponsored by Rep. Ruth Richardson (DFL-Mendota Heights) and Sen. John Marty (DFL-Roseville), the law prohibits the possession of a detached catalytic converter with a few narrow exceptions and provides that individuals found with illegally acquired detached catalytic converters could be charged up to a felony.

A provision in the law requiring dealers to submit details of each catalytic converter purchase to a Department of Public Safety database is Aug. 1, 2024. The law also appropriates $298,000 in fiscal year 2024 and $298,000 in fiscal year 2025 from the General fund for the Department of Public Safety to perform auditing and registration requirements relating to a scrap metal dealer’s recordkeeping of each acquisition of scrap metal. This takes effect July 1, 2023.

HF30*/SF5/CH15

HF0030* / SF0005 / CH15