Vermont should make it more difficult for those who steal catalytic converters to sell their stolen goods.

Vermont Senate Bill #48 is an important step in that direction.

Catalytic converter theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States. The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that these thefts increased by 326% in 2020 and increased another 353% in 2021. Vermont is not immune. Ease, speed and economics are make stealing this once-obscure car part far too common. Car dealerships are frequent targets and often the perpetrators aren’t after just one. The legislation strengthens existing law (9 V.S.A. § 3022) by making it more difficult for someone to turn in multiple cats at a time and also requiring sellers to prove evidence of ownership.

Update: Senate Bill #48 passed unanimously on the Senate Floor on March 16. Read Senator Thomas Chittenden's comments here.