H.R. 5221: PART Act
Sponsor
James Baird
Republican · IN-4
Bill Progress
Latest Action · Feb 10, 2026
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Why it matters
$7,000,000 would go to stamping catalytic converters so stolen parts are easier to trace. H.R. 5221 also forces traceable payments, requires 2 years of seller records, and creates federal theft and trafficking crimes worth up to 5 years in prison.
H.R. 5221 goes after catalytic converter theft from three directions: mark the part, document the sale, and raise the legal risk of stealing or trafficking it.
First, new vehicles would have to carry marked catalytic converters once federal regulators update the theft-prevention rules. The bill gives regulators 180 days to do that, and the requirement would start 6 months later for vehicles that have not yet been sold to their first buyer.
Second, the bill sets aside $7,000,000 for grants so police departments, dealers, fleets, repair shops, service centers, and nonprofits can stamp converters already on the road. The stamp must be typed, not handwritten, and covered with high-visibility, high-heat paint. Grant recipients must be able to offer the service to the public.
Third, H.R. 5221 makes the resale market less anonymous. Businesses buying these parts would have to keep seller records for at least 2 years, including ID details and the vehicle information tied to the part. Cash and cryptocurrency deals would be banned, so payment has to leave a paper trail.
The bill also creates federal crimes for stealing or trafficking stolen catalytic converters. The maximum penalty is a fine, up to 5 years in prison, or both.
What does H.R. 5221 do?
New cars get traceable catalytic converters
Federal regulators would have 180 days to add catalytic converters to theft-prevention marking rules. The new requirement would start 6 months later for covered vehicles that have not yet been sold to their first buyer.
$7 million funds public VIN-stamping programs
The Transportation Department would launch a grant program within 180 days. Eligible recipients include law enforcement agencies, auto dealers, centrally maintained fleets, repair shops, service centers, and nonprofits.
Marked parts can link back to the vehicle
A converter could carry either the full vehicle identification number or a unique part ID tied to a law-enforcement-accessible database that retrieves the full VIN.
Existing vehicles can be marked with visible anti-theft paint
Grant-funded stamping must use a typed font and be covered with high-visibility, high-heat theft-deterrence paint. The bill prioritizes areas with high theft rates and entities holding vehicles covered by the new marking rules.
Scrap and repair sales need a paper trail
Businesses salvaging, dismantling, recycling, or repairing motor vehicle parts containing precious metals would have to keep seller records for at least 2 years, including ID and vehicle details.
Cash and crypto deals are out
Buying or selling these parts with cash or cryptocurrency would be illegal under the bill. Payment would need to be traceable, such as by check or wire transfer.
Federal penalties apply to theft and trafficking
Stealing, receiving, or trafficking in a catalytic converter known to be stolen could trigger federal prosecution, a fine, and up to 5 years in prison.
Who benefits from H.R. 5221?
Drivers hit with sudden repair bills
If converters are easier to identify and harder to resell anonymously, you may be less likely to lose your car overnight to a fast parts theft that can leave you with a four-figure repair.
Police and investigators
Law enforcement would get access to marked part numbers and databases that can connect a converter back to the vehicle it came from. Agencies could also apply for grant money to expand local stamping programs.
Owners of large fleets
Companies, governments, and other operators with centrally maintained fleets could seek grants to mark vehicles that are frequent theft targets. That matters when one theft can sideline a work vehicle and disrupt service.
Legitimate recyclers and repair shops
Businesses already following traceable payment and documentation practices could see less competition from anonymous buyers willing to take suspicious parts with no questions asked.
Who is affected by H.R. 5221?
Auto manufacturers
Manufacturers of covered vehicles would need to make sure catalytic converters are marked once the federal rule change takes effect.
Scrap yards, dismantlers, recyclers, and repair businesses
These businesses would need to collect and keep seller records for at least 2 years, including a photocopy of government-issued ID and the vehicle information tied to the part.
Buyers and sellers using anonymous payment methods
Cash and cryptocurrency transactions for catalytic converters would no longer be allowed. Anyone buying or selling these parts would need a traceable payment method.
People accused of theft or trafficking
The bill creates federal criminal exposure for stealing, receiving, possessing, or selling a catalytic converter known to be stolen, with penalties of up to 5 years in prison.
H.R. 5221 Common Questions
Would H.R. 5221 make stealing a catalytic converter a federal crime?
Yes. H.R. 5221 would create federal crimes for stealing or trafficking in a catalytic converter known to be stolen, with penalties of up to 5 years in prison.
Would cash payments for catalytic converters become illegal?
Yes. H.R. 5221 would ban buying or selling catalytic converters with cash or cryptocurrency. Payment would need to be traceable, like a check or wire transfer.
How much money does H.R. 5221 provide for catalytic converter marking?
The bill provides $7,000,000 for grants to stamp catalytic converters with a VIN or unique part ID. The money would come from unobligated American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Who could get catalytic converter stamping grants under H.R. 5221?
Law enforcement agencies, auto dealers, centrally maintained fleets, repair shops, service centers, and nonprofits could apply for the grants.
What records would scrap yards and recyclers have to keep?
They would have to keep seller records for at least 2 years, including the seller's name, address, phone number, a copy of government ID, vehicle make and model, VIN or part ID, and purchase date.
When would new vehicles need marked catalytic converters?
Federal regulators would have 180 days to update the rule, and the marking requirement would start 6 months after that for covered vehicles not yet sold to their first buyer.
Could police trace a catalytic converter back to a vehicle?
Yes. H.R. 5221 allows a converter to carry a unique part ID stored in a law-enforcement-accessible database that can retrieve the full VIN.
Does H.R. 5221 only cover standard catalytic converters?
No. The bill's definition also includes diesel oxidation catalysts and diesel particulate filters, not just the standard emissions device on many gas-powered cars.
Based on H.R. 5221 bill text
Cost & Funding
Authorization
$7,000,000 total for stamping grants
- The money would come from unobligated American Rescue Plan Act funds, with backup authorization for more appropriations if needed to reach the full $7,000,000.
- Back-of-napkin math: if an average local program got $100,000, that could support about 70 grants nationwide.
- The Transportation Department would have to report to Congress every year for 10 years on how many converters were marked and, when known, whether marked parts were later stolen.
What Congress Is Saying
Floor speeches, committee statements, and official milestones mentioning H.R. 5221.
H.R. 5221 hasn't been debated on the floor yet.
This section updates when a legislator speaks about it on the floor or in committee.
HR5221 Legislative Journey
House: Vote Held
Feb 10, 2026
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
House: Committee Action
Sep 10, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
House: Committee Action
Sep 9, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
About the Sponsor
James Baird
Republican, Indiana's 4th congressional district · 7 years in Congress
Committees: Science, Space, and Technology, Agriculture, Foreign Affairs
View full profile →
Cosponsors (62)
This bill has 62 cosponsors: 40 Democrats, 22 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 31 states: Alabama, California, Colorado, and 28 more.
Betty McCollum
Democrat · MN
Debbie Dingell
Democrat · MI
Angie Craig
Democrat · MN
Seth Magaziner
Democrat · RI
Jim Costa
Democrat · CA
Tracey Mann
Republican · KS
Earl Carter
Republican · GA
Brian Babin
Republican · TX
Joe Neguse
Democrat · CO
Donald Norcross
Democrat · NJ
Stephanie Bice
Republican · OK
Eugene Vindman
Democrat · VA
Committee Sponsors
Energy and Commerce Committee
11 of 54 committee members cosponsored
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
10 of 65 committee members cosponsored
Judiciary Committee
2 of 42 committee members cosponsored
70 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
H.R. 5221 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Energy and Commerce
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Transportation and Public Works
- Introduced
- Sep 9, 2025
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
Feb 10, 2026
Official Sources
Official bill page with status, text, actions, and summaries for the PART Act.
The bill directs NHTSA to revise the federal theft-prevention marking standard to include catalytic converters.
The bill says catalytic-converter marking rules must apply to vehicles covered by federal VIN requirements in Part 565.
The bill amends 49 U.S.C. chapter 331, the federal motor vehicle theft prevention chapter.
Section 4 funds the grant program using unobligated balances from the American Rescue Plan Act.
The Secretary of Transportation would establish and oversee the catalytic-converter stamping grant program.
NHTSA is the agency the bill tasks with updating theft-prevention regulations for new vehicles.
This section of the federal regulations contains the NHTSA parts the bill references for theft prevention and vehicle identification markings.
H.R. 5221 Bill Text
“To prevent the theft of catalytic converters and other precious metal car parts, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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