LEGISLATIVE FISCAL ESTIMATE
[First Reprint]
ASSEMBLY, No. 2210
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
220th LEGISLATURE
DATED: DECEMBER 29, 2022
SUMMARY
Synopsis: Implements certain guidelines concerning purchase of catalytic
converters.
Type of Impact: Annual State and local expenditure and revenue increases.
Agencies Affected: Department of Law and Public Safety, the Judiciary, Office of the
Public Defender, local governments.
Office of Legislative Services Estimate
Fiscal Impact
Annual State Cost Increase Indeterminate
Annual State Revenue Increase Indeterminate
Annual Local Cost Increase Indeterminate
Annual Local Revenue Increase Indeterminate
 The Office of Legislative Services (OLS) finds that the State and local governments will incur
an indeterminate amount of annual cost increases to prosecute, defend, and adjudicate
individuals who violate the bill’s provisions regarding the sale and purchase of catalytic
convertors.
 A presumption of non-incarceration applies to first-time offenders of crimes of the fourth
degree and disorderly persons offenses, and so it is unlikely that there will be any cost
increases for the Department of Corrections or county jails associated with this bill.
 The State and local governments are also likely to realize an indeterminate increase in
revenues from the collection of fines and court fees.
Office of Legislative Services Legislative Budget and Finance Office
State House Annex Phone (609) 847-3105
P.O. Box 068 Fax (609) 777-2442
Trenton, New Jersey 08625 www.njleg.state.nj.us
 FE to A2210 [1R]
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BILL DESCRIPTION
The bill modifies existing law on the regulation of scrap metal businesses to incorporate
certain provisions concerning catalytic converters. The bill amends the definition of “scrap
metal” to include a used catalytic converter if it is not attached to a motor vehicle. The bill
provides that offering for sale a used catalytic converter that is not attached to a motor vehicle is
to be limited to a scrap metal business, unless the seller of the used catalytic converter is a
registered business that collects, stores, or sells a catalytic converter or any other motor vehicle
part. Violations of this bill will constitute a disorderly persons offense for a first or second offense
and will constitute a crime of the fourth degree for third and subsequent offenses.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
EXECUTIVE BRANCH
None received.
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE SERVICES
The OLS finds that the State and local governments will incur an indeterminate amount of
annual cost increases to prosecute, defend, and adjudicate individuals who violate the bill’s
provisions regarding the sale and purchase of catalytic convertors. A disorderly persons
offense is adjudicated in municipal court and is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to
six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. A crime of the fourth degree is adjudicated in State
court and is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months, a fine up to $10,000,
or both. A presumption of non-incarceration applies to first-time offenders of crimes of the
fourth degree and disorderly persons offenses, and so it is unlikely that there will be any cost
increases for the Department of Corrections or county jails associated with this bill. The State
and local governments are also likely to realize an indeterminate increase in revenues from the
collection of fines and court fees.
The OLS lacks sufficient information to quantify the fiscal impact of this bill, as it is unclear as
to how many individuals would be found guilty of violating its provisions in any given fiscal year.
For context, based on estimates provided by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic
converter thefts have risen dramatically nationwide in recent years. In 2019, there were 3,389
claims filed. In 2020, that number jumped 326 percent to 14,443 and more than tripled to 52,206
in 2021.
Section: Judiciary
Analyst: Anuja Pande Joshi
Associate Fiscal Analyst
Approved: Thomas Koenig
Legislative Budget and Finance Officer
This legislative fiscal estimate has been produced by the Office of Legislative Services due to the
failure of the Executive Branch to respond to our request for a fiscal note.
This fiscal estimate has been prepared pursuant to P.L.1980, c.67 (C.52:13B-6 et seq.).