Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) announced legislation she sponsored to help reduce catalytic converter theft has passed the Assembly (A.1940-C). Buttenschon’s bill aims to increase safety for Mohawk Valley families amid a rise in theft of these car parts.

“Nearly all of us have heard a story of a catalytic converter being stolen off of an unsuspecting neighbor's car in recent years,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “We all know how difficult car problems of any kind can be, and this legislation seeks to protect car owners by preventing thieves from selling these stolen parts for profit. Mohawk Valley families deserve to feel safe, and this bill represents an important step forward on this issue.”

Catalytic converters are exhaust emission control devices that reduce toxic gases and pollutants in exhaust gas. All cars are required to have these devices. While they are considered to be one of the greatest environmental inventions of all time, they are quite costly. Replacing a stolen catalytic converter can result in thousands of dollars of car repair payments because removing one illegally can often damage other parts of the car as well.

Buttenschon’s bill would prohibit selling stolen car parts back to metal scrap yards, as well as make it easier to identify when a catalytic converter has been stolen. In the future, only scrap yards that have been licensed by the state Department of Motor Vehicles will be able to purchase catalytic converters, and no retail dealer will be authorized to purchase a vehicle unless the catalytic converter has been properly etched. The legislation also requires motor vehicle dealers offer etching kits and etching services