H.R. 5221: PART Act

H.R. 5221 targets catalytic converter theft on three fronts: mark the part, document the sale, and raise the criminal risk on the thief.

First, the part. Federal regulators get 180 days to add catalytic converters to the vehicle theft prevention marking standard. Six months after that, new vehicles not yet sold to their first buyer would need marked converters — either with the full vehicle identification number or a unique part ID tied to a database that police can query to look up the original VIN. The bill also puts $7 million behind grants so police, auto dealers, fleet operators, repair shops, and nonprofits can stamp converters already on the road. The stamps have to be typed, not handwritten, and coated with high-visibility, high-heat theft-deterrence paint.

Second, the sale. Scrap yards, dismantlers, recyclers, and repair shops buying motor vehicle parts that contain precious metals would have to keep seller records for at least 2 years — name, address, phone, photocopy of government ID, vehicle make and model, and the VIN or part ID. Cash and cryptocurrency payments for converters would be banned. Every transaction would need a traceable form of payment, like a check or wire transfer.

Third, the crime. Stealing a catalytic converter — or buying one knowing it's stolen, with intent to distribute or sell it — becomes a federal offense carrying a fine, up to 5 years in prison, or both. The bill also updates federal chop-shop law to cover operations that disassemble vehicles specifically to extract precious metals from the parts.

The $7 million in stamping money comes from unobligated American Rescue Plan Act balances, with a backup authorization if those balances fall short. The Transportation Department has to report to Congress every year for 10 years on how many converters got marked and, when known, whether any marked parts were later stolen.