SB 1087, AB 1740: Catalytic converters theft
Theft of catalytic converters in California skyrocketed tenfold from 2018 to 2022. Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed on September 26th, 2022 that he has assented to two official bills addressing the purloining of catalytic converters. The legislative bills, namely AB 1740 and SB 1087, possess provisions governing the sale of utilized catalytic converters.
AB 1740, Muratsuchi. Catalytic Converters
The law says that recyclers who deal with used catalytic converters must keep a record of who they got them from and who they sold them to. The current rule states that companies that recycle old car parts can only pay for a specific part called a catalytic converter with a check. They have to wait three days before sending the check unless the seller is a business. The recycling company must also take a picture or video of the person selling the part, write down where it came from, and get other information. The law says that a core recycler doesn’t have to follow this rule if they buy car parts from someone with a written agreement. The parts could be catalytic converters, transmissions, or any other parts taken out of a car. The current law says that a recycler has to show essential details to the police when asked to. Breaking these rules could result in being charged with a minor crime.
The law says you can only buy a used converter from specific sellers, like car part stores or people who can prove they own it. Nobody else can sell it to you. If you break this rule, you will get in trouble and have to pay a fee.
The rule says that a core recycler can only buy catalytic converters from certain people, not just anyone.
This bill will require local governments to enforce a new rule and make an existing minor crime apply to more situations.
If this bill and two other bills (SB 986 and AB 1740) get passed, some extra changes will be made to Section 21610 of the Business and Professions Code. These changes will only be enforced if all three bills are passed, and this bill is the last to be passed.
Under California’s Constitution, the government must pay back money to cities and schools for certain expenses that the state requires them to pay. Rules say how the funds will be given back. This law won’t require payment for a particular thing.
SB 1087, Gonzalez. Vehicles: Catalytic Converters
Subsequently, Senator Lena Gonzales (D – Long Beach) enrolled in Bill SB 1087 on the 1st of September.
The law says that a core recycler who deals with used catalytic converters must keep records of buying and selling them. A rule states that a core recycler can only pay for a catalytic converter with a check. They must wait three days before sending the check unless the seller is a business. The core recycler also needs to take a picture or video of the seller, a written statement about where the catalytic converter came from, and some other information to identify the seller. The law says a core recycler must show local law enforcement this information if they ask for it. This law states that if a core recycler wants to buy used car parts like catalytic converters, transmissions, or other parts, they don’t have to prove where they purchased them from if they have a written agreement with the seller. Breaking these rules can result in a criminal charge.
The law would stop anyone from buying a used catalytic converter from anyone except certain sellers. These sellers are either people who take cars apart, mechanics, or someone who can prove they own the catalytic converter legally. If you break this rule, you could get in trouble and have to pay a fine.
The rule says a core recycler can only buy a catalytic converter from certain sellers, not anyone else. This bill would make a new rule for breaking the law and apply another rule to more situations. This means it would make local governments do more work, and the state requires this to happen.
Law has made rules to tell you how to get paid back. California has to pay local agencies and schools for things the state made them do, as the California Constitution says. This law says that a specific reason must not be paid back.
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