03/30/2023

Senate Passes Converter Theft Bill Supported by RANC

March 30, 2023

Senate Passes Converter Theft Bill Supported by RANC

The North Carolina Senate today by a 45 to 0 margin passed a bill (S 267) that will strengthen state law against those illegally advertising and soliciting the sale of catalytic converters.    RANC supported the bill and offered a number of ideas that were incorporated into the bill by Senator Tom McInnis (R-Moore), the primary sponsor.     RANC also worked closely with bills in 2021 and 2022 to fight converter theft.

Key provisions of S 267 include:

• Prohibiting anyone other than a secondary metals recycler from soliciting or advertising the sale or purchase of a used catalytic converter not attached to a vehicle,
• Increasing the penalty for illegal soliciting or advertising to a Class I felony plus a $1,000 fine and making any such sale or purchase a separate offense,
• Making converters illegally sold, purchased, advertised, or solicited contraband and subject to seizure and forfeiture, and
• Permitting a judge to order restitution to a secondary metals recycler or property owner if they were damaged by the illegal advertising or soliciting.

The bill will next be considered by the House.

Questions? Contact

Ed Turlington, Partner, Brooks Pierce | RANC Legal Counsel
t: 919.839.0300  |  m: 919.332.9793
f: 336.232.9143
1700 Wells Fargo Capitol Center
150 Fayetteville Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
P.O. Box 1800 (27602)