Several new Minnesota laws go into effect Tuesday, including one lawmakers hope put a dent in catalytic converter thefts.
DFL representative Ruth Richardson is the author of the bill and tells the WCCO Morning News it will make tracking thefts easier.
“There’s a requirement that you now match up the catalytic converters either with a VIN number, or the alternative marking program number,” says Richardson. “So you can actually trace back ownership of catalytic converters.”
This bill will prohibit scrap metal dealers from purchasing a catalytic converter that is not attached to a motor vehicle unless the catalytic converter contains identifying markings that can be used to connect the catalytic converter to a vehicle. Furthermore, scrap metal dealers must collect certain information to aid law enforcement and enter data into an electronic database.
Richardson says it was too easy to sell stolen catalytic converters.
“Folks were going in once, twice a week, with detached catalytic converters, selling them and they were stolen,” explains Richardson. “So to have someone who’s going in multiple times a week, doing this, we knew that this was one important way we could crack down on the theft.”
The bill passed the House overwhelmingly bipartisan with a vote of 113-15.
“Minnesota has one of the highest rates of catalytic converter theft in the nation, and victims suffer significant financial burden and stress,” said House Speaker Melissa Hortman. “This legislation is long overdue action to deter thieves and bad actors.”
Related
