In an effort to address the growing number of catalytic converter thefts across the state, State Representative Marj Fogelman (R-Fulda) is co-authoring legislation that would hold criminals accountable.
“Catalytic converter theft is not just a Minneapolis problem,” Fogelman said. “We are seeing them stolen in every county in our state, and its time we do something about it.”
Fogelman said catalytic converters contain valuable metals, which is why they are popular with thieves. They are also very expensive for the car owner to replace.
Fogelman’s bill would make possession of an unauthorized catalytic converter a crime. It would create a misdemeanor offense for possessing a used catalytic converter that is not attached to a motor vehicle unless it was marked with a date of removal and the vehicle’s ID number, or has not been certified for reuse as a replacement part by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The crime would become a gross misdemeanor if the person possessed more than one catalytic converter. Anyone convicted of the crime would also be forced to pay restitution to any identifiable victim.
The bill is based off local ordinances that have been approved by a number of cities in Minnesota, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Shakopee.
The catalytic converter legislation awaits a hearing in the Minnesota House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee.