OLYMPIA, Wash. – Thefts of catalytic converters are increasing across the state and one lawmaker wants the legislature to take action.
KING 5 reports State Senator Jeff Wilson of Longview is introducing a bill in the 2022 session aimed at reducing the thefts.
Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy told KGMI that it’s an ongoing problem here.
“We’ve had our struggles in our community with catalytic converter thefts for years and years now,” said Murphy. “It waxes and wanes kind of like everything else does.”
Wilson’s bill would target the market for stolen catalytic converters by prohibiting scrap dealers from buying them from anyone other than commercial businesses or the confirmed owner of a vehicle.
It would also ban instant cash deals for the devices.
Catalytic converters contain several rare metals that have become valuable on the black market.