Public Safety and Security Committee
JOINT FAVORABLE REPORT
Bill No.: SB-256
AN ACT CONCERNING THE PURCHASE OR RECEIPT OF CATALYTIC
CONVERTERS BY MOTOR VEHICLE RECYCLERS, SCRAP METAL
Title: PROCESSORS AND JUNK DEALERS.
Vote Date: 3/22/2022
Vote Action: Joint Favorable Substitute
PH Date: 3/17/2022
File No.:
Disclaimer: The following JOINT FAVORABLE Report is prepared for the benefit of the
members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and
explanation and does not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber
thereof for any purpose.
SPONSORS OF BILL:
Rep. Kerry S. Wood, 29th Dist.
Rep. Michael A. Winkler, 56th Dist.
Rep. Amy Morrin Bello, 28th Dist.
Rep. Kara Rochelle, 104th Dist.
Rep. Gary A. Turco, 27th Dist.
Rep. Stephanie Thomas, 143rd Dist.
Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria, 105th Dist.
Rep. Ronald A. Napoli, 73rd Dist.
Rep. Kate Farrar, 20th Dist.
Rep. Robin E. Comey, 102nd Dist.
Rep. Tony J Scott, 112th Dist.
Sen. Eric C. Berthel, 32nd Dist.
Sen. Dan Champagne, 35th Dist.
REASONS FOR BILL:
Connecticut is seeing increased theft of catalytic converters; this bill will aid law enforcement
in tracking or identifying any potential criminal activity. It is also hoped that the bill will deter
people from stealing catalytic converters as it will become very hard to impossible to sell
them for profit, ultimately reducing or eliminating this issue.
The bill would require written record of all sold and bought catalytic converters by any motor
vehicle recyclers, scrap metal processors and junk dealers buy or sell. It also imposes other
restrictions, one being that the seller may only sell one catalytic converter to a licensee per
day and how a seller of catalytic converters is paid. Motor vehicle recyclers would submit
electronically on a weekly basis or if deemed necessary more frequently all information
regarding catalytic converters to the Department of Emergency Services and Public
Protection and specify that inspections can occur during business hours by Dept. of Motor
Vehicles, Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public
Protection or any organized local police department.
PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE LANGUAGE:
On line 6, the words, "and catalytic converters" have been removed.
On line 18, the words, "documentation required by" have been removed.
On line 55, the words, "that is not attached to such motor vehicle" have been removed.
Lines 58 and 59, the words, "such catalytic converter is attached to a motor vehicle that such
recycler receives in compliance with the provisions of this section." Have been added.
Lines 60-65 have been added.
On the proposed substitute bill, lines 60-96 have been removed from the raised bill.
On line 80, the word, "number" have been added
On line 97, the word, " have been added.
On line 108, the word, " have been added.
On the proposed substitute bill, lines 148-150 have been removed from the raised bill.
On line 125, the word, "number" have been added.
Lines 176-180 have been added. Addition is requirements for maintenance and inspection of
documents required by Section 2.
RESPONSE FROM ADMINISTRATION/AGENCY:
None Expressed.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF SUPPORT:
Sen. Eric C. Berthel, 32nd Dist provided testimony in which the people that he represents
are in favor of this bill because it will eliminate the root cause of this theft through the state. It
will also allow business to report catalytic converters that may be stolen, which will aid law
enforcement in their efforts. Ultimately, this bill will allow people to feel safer at home knowing
that this bill will eliminate this issue.
William DeBacco, President of the Connecticut Auto Recyclers Association (CAR)
provided testimony in which the people of CAR are in favor of this bill with a few minor tweaks
to the langue of the bill. The implementation of the bill with amendments will help reduce
catalytic converters being stolen, but they urge not to make too much additional paperwork
for small business to have to do as they are already understaffed. He would like to see lines
57 thru 96 be deleted.
Joe Genovese, General Manager of A-Rite Used Auto Parts, is in favor of the bill but
respectfully request us to amend the bill to prohibit licensed motor vehicle recyclers and
Automotive Recyclers from purchasing catalytic converters, and he believes that recyclers
like him should not be targeted by this bill because he does not buy catalytic converters from
repair facilities, if this is left in the bill, all it would do is add unnecessary paperwork for
business like him. He would like to see lines 57 thru 96 be deleted.
Page 2 of 3 SB-256
Eric George, President of the Insurance Association of Connecticut (IAC), is in favor of
this bill as reducing the rates of stolen catalytic converters will have a positive impact on the
auto and auto insurance markets along with reducing increasing premiums on victim's policy.
Howard Handler, MPPA Senior Director of National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and
Government Affairs, is in favor of the bill as nation wide there has been a huge increase of
catalytic converters being stolen for their high value due to the metals present in them. This
bill will help reduce their ability to easily sell these to make money, ultimately reducing or
eliminating the thefts of them.
Rep. Amy Morrin Bello, 28th Dist., has provided testimony in which the people in her
district are in favor of this bill because it will allow a commonsense recording of any sale of a
catalytic converter in the state, delayed payment for such part, and limit to the quantity of
parts sold per day. The bill will not stop people from selling their own catalytic converters, but
it will help law enforcement track and find any criminal behavior that might be from the selling
of catalectic converters.
Wayne Weikel, Senior Director of Alliance for Automotive Innovation, State Affairs has
provided testimony in favor of this bill because this bill will allow scrap yards to have records
of any catalytic converters that they buy and sell which will help reduce the crime wave that
we are seeing. At its core, this is a chain of custody issue. The best way to deter the thefts is
to ensure there is no market for stolen goods. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation
submitted with their testimony a summary of provisions they believe any legislature should
heed when seeking to address this issue.
NATURE AND SOURCES OF OPPOSITION:
None Expressed.
Reported by: Nathan Botting, Intern Date: 3/23/2022
Page 3 of 3 SB-256


Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 21-11a
PS Joint Favorable Substitute: 21-11a
File No. 309: 21-11a
JUD Joint Favorable: 21-11a
Public Act No. 22-43: 21-11a