BILL NUMBER: S80
SPONSOR: LIU
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to the receipt of
catalytic converters by junk dealers and scrap dealers
 
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends general business law to include a new section 62-a
which would require recyclers to only accept catalytic converters that
are attached to motor vehicles unless recyclers are provided proof of
the seller's legitimate ownership of the catalytic converter and affirms
the seller owns the converter. Sellers are also limited to selling one
catalytic converter per day unless the converter is attached to a car
and can only be paid by a check sent to the seller's home address or
held at the place of business 3 business days after the transaction.
Recyclers must also submit information about the seller and receiver of
all catalytic converters to the state police on a monthly basis.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Catalytic converter thefts have been an ongoing national issue due to an
increase in demand for valuable metals including platinum, palladium,
and rhodium. Current measures in NY State only assist in tracking down
converter thieves but have not restricted the profitability of stealing
these vehicle components. According to the NYPD, catalytic converters
can be sold from 100 dollars to 150 dollars to recyclers, while costing
victims up to 3,000 dollars or more to replace them. This bill would
ensure that converters can only be sold if sellers can prove they are
the legitimate owner of the converter and establishes a waiting period
before sellers can receive payment so that recyclers can ensure that the
converter had not been stolen.This would hinder the ability of thieves
to profit from selling catalytic converters.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
01/03/24 REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
01/06/23 REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
08/17/22 REFERRED TO RULES
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of January next succeeding the
date upon which it shall have become a law.