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119-hr-5221119th CongressWALLET

PART Act

Sponsored By: Representative Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

In Committee

Summary

This bill would create federal rules to prevent catalytic converter theft by expanding legal definitions, requiring visible VIN-linked part markings, setting seller record rules and traceable payments, funding VIN-stamping grants, and adding new criminal penalties.

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  • Vehicle owners: Would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to update theft-prevention standards to cover catalytic converters within 180 days and to apply those rules to certain unsold late-stage vehicles six months after the update. This aims to make converters harder to remove and resell.
  • Sellers and recyclers: Would force shops and parts buyers to keep transaction records for converters, ban sales of converters with markings removed, and require non-cash, traceable payment forms such as checks or electronic transfers.
  • Law enforcement and local programs: Would create a conspicuous marking and law-enforcement-accessible database option, add a new federal theft offense with fines or up to five years imprisonment, and fund a VIN-stamping grant program with reporting for 10 years.

*Directs up to $7.0 million from unobligated American Rescue Plan Act balances for the VIN-stamping grant program, with a fallback appropriation to reach $7.0 million.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Tougher penalties and sales rules for converter theft

This bill would make stealing or trafficking catalytic converters a federal crime. It would ban selling converters with markings removed and require traceable payments, not cash or cryptocurrency. Penalties could include fines and up to five years in prison. A clear legal definition of which parts count as catalytic converters would apply. These changes would take effect upon enactment.

Marking and tracking rules for catalytic converters

The vehicle safety agency would have 180 days to add converters to theft-prevention rules. Converters would need clear marks and a part ID that links to the vehicle VIN in a database for law enforcement. For vehicles not yet sold to the first buyer, the rule would start 6 months after the update. Companies seeking an NHTSA exemption would also need to certify their converters are marked as required.

Grants to stamp catalytic converters

The bill would fund a program within 180 days to help pay for die or pin stamping tools and high-heat paint to mark converters. Police, dealers, fleets, repair shops, and nonprofits could get grants, but not for wages. Grantees must offer stamping to the public, and the agency would prioritize high‑theft areas. Funding would be $7 million from ARPA balances, with a backup appropriation to reach $7 million.

New record rules for shops handling converters

If enacted, businesses that salvage, recycle, or repair vehicles or parts with precious metals would need to keep seller records for at least two years. Records would include seller contact, a copy of ID, make and model, the VIN or a marked part ID tied to the VIN, and the date of purchase. The requirement would start upon enactment.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-TN-3]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 9/24/2026

  • Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/28/2026

  • Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]

    DE • D

    Sponsored 10/1/2026

  • Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 11/2/2026

  • Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9]

    IN • R

    Sponsored 11/2/2026

  • Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]

    MI • D

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2]

    RI • D

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1]

    KS • R

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1]

    GA • R

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 9/9/2025

  • Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2025

  • Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2025

  • Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5]

    OK • R

    Sponsored 9/17/2025

  • Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2025

  • Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2025

  • Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 9/17/2025

  • Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]

    WI • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3]

    AL • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6]

    OH • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23]

    CA • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2]

    ID • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

    SC • R

    Sponsored 10/6/2025

  • Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1]

    MS • R

    Sponsored 10/8/2025

  • Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 10/10/2025

  • Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 10/10/2025

  • Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 10/10/2025

  • Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6]

    TN • R

    Sponsored 10/14/2025

  • Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2]

    ME • D

    Sponsored 10/17/2025

  • Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 10/29/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 10/29/2026

  • Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]

    NE • R

    Sponsored 10/29/2026

  • Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 10/28/2025

  • Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2]

    GA • D

    Sponsored 10/31/2025

  • Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 10/31/2025

  • Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]

    WI • R

    Sponsored 11/12/2025

  • Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 11/12/2025

  • Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]

    IA • R

    Sponsored 11/12/2025

  • Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 12/12/2025

  • Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Rep. Bentz, Cliff [R-OR-2]

    OR • R

    Sponsored 12/17/2025

  • Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1]

    OH • D

    Sponsored 12/18/2025

  • Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 1/6/2026

  • Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 1/8/2026

  • Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/13/2026

  • Rep. Pou, Nellie [D-NJ-9]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 2/9/2026

  • Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 2/13/2026

  • Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/9/2026

  • Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 3/12/2026

  • Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]

    NY • R

    Sponsored 3/17/2026

  • Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/12/2026

  • Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 5/14/2026

  • Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 7/13/2026

  • Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]

    AL • D

    Sponsored 7/16/2026

  • Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2]

    NJ • R

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Wagner, Ann [R-MO-2]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 9/16/2026

  • Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]

    PA • D

    Sponsored 9/21/2026

  • Rep. Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 9/21/2026

  • Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15]

    IL • R

    Sponsored 9/21/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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