Congress targets catalytic converter theft with federal marking, tracking, and criminal penalties.
H.R. 5221 — PART Act · Filed by James Baird (R-IN) · 66 cosponsors · Introduced Sep 9, 2025 · Markup held
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What it does
This bill creates a federal anti-theft program for catalytic converters by requiring manufacturers to mark them with identification numbers, establishing a grant program to help law enforcement and vehicle owners stamp their converters, and making it illegal to buy, sell, or possess stolen or tampered catalytic converters. It also creates new federal crimes for stealing catalytic converters and trafficking in stolen parts, with penalties up to 5 years in prison.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is to reduce catalytic converter theft through identification marking, law enforcement tracking, and criminal penalties. It is straightforward public-safety legislation addressing a documented crime problem.
What the text implies
- The unique part identification database accessible to law enforcement creates a new federal tracking system for vehicle parts, which may have privacy implications if the database is later expanded or accessed beyond its stated anti-theft purpose.
- Requiring traceable payment (no cash or cryptocurrency) for catalytic converter sales may disproportionately burden informal repair shops and small salvage operations that rely on cash transactions, potentially consolidating the market toward larger, more formal entities.
The full analysis lists 3 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
automotive manufacturers (compliance costs offset by reduced theft-related warranty claims); law enforcement agencies (grant funding for equipment); vehicle fleet operators (reduced theft losses)