NC lawmakers look to crack down on catalytic converter thefts

The bill would also put more responsibility on metal recyclers to track catalytic converters they buy and make it illegal for anyone who's not an recycler to buy a used converter, unless it's for reuse. Catalytic converters are prized for the precious metals in them, and there's often an upswing in thefts during harder economic times.

Stealing a converter now might be punished a number of ways, ranging from one of the state's most serious misdemeanors to a Class H or Class I felony, which are felonies with some of the lower punishments. Senate Bill 99 would make stealing a converter a Class I felony.

The measure won final approval in the House early Wednesday afternoon, on a unanimous vote. It now waits for Gov. Roy Cooper to decide whether to sign it into law.

The bill also shifts the presumption in these cases, saying anyone in possession of a catalytic converter that was removed from a vehicle will be assumed to have stolen it, unless they work for a repair shop, metals recycler or salvage yard or have documentation showing it wasn't stolen.

The bill also requires recyclers to keep electronic records on catalytic converters they buy.