WA lawmakers target catalytic converter theft during legislative session

OLYMPIA, Wash. — As the legislative session continues, two new bills would aim to prevent catalytic converter theft.

Senate Bill 5495 relates to scrap yards.

Going forward, scrap businesses would only accept catalytic converters from commercial businesses or individual vehicle owners.

In turn, private sellers would be required to provide such information as the make and model of their car, as well as their Vehicle Identification Number.

“Law abiding recyclers are already required to keep some records,” said Gary Ernsdorff, King County Prosecutor’s Office.  “If you can afford a Lamborghini, you can afford a couple more minutes on a transaction that’ll net you a few hundred dollars.”

Additionally, House Bill 1815 would allow Washington State Patrol to set up a catalytic converter tracking program.

In that instance, specific catalytic converters would be matched with a vehicle identification number.

The legislation comes as lawmakers say Washington now ranks fourth in the entire country for the number of yearly catalytic converter thefts.

They insist catalytic converter theft is a threat to public safety.

“Who would’ve thought that an exhaust pipe in Washington State would technically cost people to lose their lives?” stated  Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview. “People have been killed, threatened, attacked, stabbed.”

Since 2019, thefts of catalytic converters have sky-rocketed more than 3,800% across Washington State, according to the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

On Saturday, Jan. 29, Everett Police will be sponsoring Project CATCON ID, where Vehicle Identification Numbers are inscribed onto catalytic converters.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.

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