Florida Lawmakers Approve Catalytic Converter Bill, Senate Passes Windshield Limits

The Florida House of Representatives has approved a bill that would stiffen penalties for catalytic converter theft and would make it easier to prove intent. Senate Bill 306 now goes to the governor for his signature.

The full Senate also unanimously approved a measure that would ban assignment-of-benefits for windshield repair, moving it a big step closer to becoming law. A similar bill is awaiting action in the House.

The catalytic converter bill is part of a reaction to a nationwide surge in theft of the pollution-control devices, as the precious metals in them have become hot commodities. The bill, introduced by Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, would mandate that if a person is in possession of two or more converters, it is assumed that the person knew the devices were stolen, unless a good explanation is provided.

“I am confident that this legislation will close loopholes in the law and provide better protections for Florida consumers,” Florida’s chief financial officer, Jimmy Patronis, said in a statement.

The measure, if signed into law, also will:

• Make it a third-degree felony to purchase, possess, sell or install a stolen catalytic converter or one that has had its identification information removed.
• Limit the purchase of the devices to registered recycling companies
• Make it a second-degree felony to knowingly import, manufacture, purchase a fake converter.
• Require a metals recycler to hold on to a converter for 10 days after purchase, before processing or removing it from from the place of business.

The U.S. Department of Justice and news reports have said that thefts of the devices have skyrocketed in recent years, leaving auto insurers scrambling to keep up with claims. A nationwide theft ring last year was responsible for more than $545 million in stolen converters, the Justice Department has said.