Active State Legislative Season Wraps Up T
he majority of state legislatures have now adjourned for the year, marking the end of a frenetic first half of 2021 with many elected officials determined to make up for time lost last year, when many states shut down completely due to COVID-19. Despite the challenges of virtual com- mittee hearings, limited ability to interact in person with legislators, and a focus on budgetary measures that dominated many statehouses, automotive recyclers across the country were able to make an impact on behalf of their businesses and the recycled parts market. As expected, legislation seeking to man- date adherence to original equipment
manufacturer (OEM) repair procedures was introduced in several states, including New Hampshire, Washington, Arizona, Texas, Nebraska, and Illinois. This has been a recurring issue that stakeholders across the replacement parts market have fought as OEM repair procedures, specifications, directives, processes and other documenta- tion often outright prohibit the utilization of anything other than new OEM parts. At the time that this publication is printed, legislation is still pending in Texas and Illinois.
Catalytic converter theft has been a serious problem for many ARA members, other businesses and vehicle owners as the
price of commodities has skyrocketed. Legislation seeking to deter catalytic con- verter theft was introduced in nearly every state this year. ARA focused its resources and political capital on simultaneously pro- tecting recyclers’ ability to sell detached cat- alytic converters as a repair part while also equipping local law enforcement with the tools needed to effectively deter and punish catalytic converter theft. ARA is also active in industry groups focused on the problem. Other issue areas that were a focus of ARA activity during the months of May and June include potential state working groups on lithium-ion batteries, illegal dismantling, stormwater, automotive parts taxes, access to vehicle data and telematics, and detitling.
ARA Invited to work with the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) to Combat Catalytic Converter Theft
A
RA is proud to announce that it has been working with the International
Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI) to craft national policy on catalytic converter theft. IAATI is an international Law Enforcement organization whose purpose is to improve communication and coordination among professional auto theft investigators throughout the world. IAATI has approximately 3,000 members representing 58 countries and its membership includes law enforcement agencies as well as stakeholders in the automotive industry. ARA was recently accepted as a member of IAATI and was invited to sit on its Subcommittee on Catalytic Converter Thefts. IAATI’s Subcommittee on Catalytic Converter Thefts has been working to develop national policy and legislation aimed at effectively combating rampant catalytic converter thefts. As a member of IAATI’s Subcommittee on Cat-
14 // May-June 2021
alytic Converter Thefts, ARA has been able to provide national law enforcement with expertise and knowledge on end-of- life vehicles and the automotive recycling industry. The input provided to the Sub- committee on Catalytic Converter Thefts by ARA has contributed to IAATI adopting a resolution to Raise Awareness and Pro- mote Measures to Reduce the Theft of Catalytic Converters. As a part of the res- olution, IAATI has identified six policy points necessary for effective catalytic converter anti-theft legislation. One of the six points protects an automotive recycler’s ability to resell used OEM catalytic con- verters as motor vehicle repair parts. The six policy points are as follows:
1. Identify with certainty the person selling the Catalytic Converter; 2. Identify with certainty the vehicle from which the Catalytic Converter was removed;
3. Require a traceable payment and pro- hibit cash transactions; 4. Require records of Catalytic Con- verter transactions be maintained and made accessible to law enforcement upon request; 5. The penalty for not meeting the above requirements needs to be a sufficient deterrent. 6. The Environmental Protection Agency (or an equivalent official entity with appro- priate jurisdiction) governs what specific Catalytic Converters can be sold in that market. If requirements 1-4 above are satis- fied, theft is not considered an issue. Furthermore, as a part of the Subcom- mittee on Catalytic Converter Thefts’ work, the Institute of Scrap Metal Recycling Industries (ISRI) issued a joint press release with IAATI calling for vehicle owners to engrave, mark, or label catalytic converters. By engraving, marking, and/or labeling catalytic converters, the IAATI resolution’s second policy point of needing to “identify with certainty the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed” is met.
Automotive Recycling
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