Sacramento – Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) announced today that her legislation cracking down on catalytic converter thieves was passed by a full vote of the State Assembly. Dr. Bains introduced Assembly Bill 1519 earlier this year as reports of brazen catalytic converter thefts continue to plague drivers throughout California.
“I stand with law enforcement agencies throughout the state who have been demanding action from Sacramento,” said Dr. Bains. “Catalytic converter thieves have targeted California drivers like nowhere else in the nation. One-third of these crimes happen here, and our laws do nothing more than slap thieves on the wrist.”
Marking a catalytic converter with a vehicle’s VIN is a best practice recommended by law enforcement agencies throughout the country as well as the Bureau of Automotive Repair. AB 1519 makes it illegal to remove a VIN marking that has been placed on a catalytic converter. The bill also makes it illegal to possess three or more catalytic converters that have had their VIN markings removed.
“We need to give law enforcement the tools they need to hold thieves accountable,” continued Dr. Bains. “My bill will put some real teeth into our laws. This is a reform that has been tried multiple times over the last few years, but all of those efforts have failed to pass. I am incredibly proud to get this measure passed in my first year in office.”
AB 1519 is supported by numerous law enforcement organizations including the California District Attorneys Association, the California Police Chiefs Association, the California Association of Highway Patrolmen, and the Peace Officers Research Association of California.
April 19: Bill Cracking Down on Catalytic Converter Theft Advances
Sacramento – Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) announced that the Assembly Transportation Committee has passed her bill to combat skyrocketing rates of catalytic converter theft. Dr. Bains introduced Assembly Bill 1519 earlier this year as reports of brazen catalytic converter thefts continue to plague drivers throughout California.
“Over the last five years, catalytic converter thefts have increased more than tenfold and California leads the nation accounting for more than 30% of all insurance claims,” said Dr. Bains. “Once stolen, thieves typically flip catalytic converters for $50-$500 while victims can expect to pay anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 to get their vehicle fixed.”
Editors Note:
According to AAA data, catalytic converter theft claims are up more than 1,000% since 2019.
In 2021, California made up almost one-third of all catalytic converter claims in the United States made to State Farm, with the insurance company spending $23 million on 9,057 catalytic converter theft claims.
