Relating to criminal conduct involving a catalytic converter removed from a motor vehicle; creating a criminal offense.
Summary
HB 5059 would create new restrictions and criminal penalties for the sale of catalytic converters removed from motor vehicles. The bill adds a presumption that a person is authorized to possess a removed catalytic converter if they are the vehicle owner, are authorized by the owner, or possess it in the ordinary course of business, including certain metal recycling businesses. It also creates a new offense for selling a removed catalytic converter to anyone other than a registered metal recycling entity.
Under the bill, selling a removed catalytic converter to an unregistered buyer would be a state jail felony. The bill applies broadly to sales by any person, including persons already covered by existing metal recycling laws, and allows prosecution under this new section, other applicable laws, or both. The act would take effect September 1, 2025.
Impact
HB 5059 would amend the Penal Code and Chapter 1956 of the Occupations Code to tighten regulation of catalytic converters removed from vehicles and to expand criminal liability for improper sales. It would affect vehicle owners, scrap and recycling businesses, and anyone handling removed catalytic converters by limiting lawful sales to registered metal recycling entities and by clarifying when possession is presumed authorized. The bill would add a new state jail felony offense and could be used alongside existing theft, trafficking, or recycling-related statutes.
Sentiment
The available record shows the bill was referred to the House Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans’ Affairs Committee and there were no recorded votes or committee transcripts in the provided materials. Based on the bill’s structure, the measure appears aimed at curbing catalytic converter theft and illicit resale, suggesting a public-safety and anti-theft policy rationale. No direct opposition or support is documented in the provided context.
Contention
The main policy tension is between anti-theft enforcement and the burden placed on legitimate businesses and private sellers who handle removed catalytic converters. Supporters would likely favor the bill as a tool to deter catalytic converter theft and illegal resale, while potential critics may question whether the felony penalty is too broad or whether the restriction could complicate ordinary transactions for repair shops, recyclers, and vehicle owners. Another possible point of contention is the bill’s overlap with existing metal recycling and criminal laws, since it expressly allows prosecution under multiple laws.
Relating to the purchase or acquisition by metal recycling entities of catalytic converters removed from a motor vehicle; imposing an administrative penalty.
Imposes certain restrictions on catalytic converters; requires all vehicle catalytic converters to be indelibly marked or engraved with a readily observable vehicle serial number; provides a reduction in premium charges for certain motor vehicle liability, comprehensive and collision insurance rates with respect to automobiles equipped with a catalytic converter which contains the vehicle identification number of the vehicle.
Requires catalytic converters to be indelibly marked or engraved with the vehicle identification number of the vehicle on which such catalytic converter is installed; requires junk dealers to obtain and record certain information and documentation when receiving a motor vehicle catalytic converter that is not attached to the motor vehicle.