Washington State House Bill 2153, developed with the help of the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, is now in effect, adding laws to deter catalytic converter theft in Washington state, including required marking.

On April 1, the office announced that the new law will boost the ability of prosecutors and law enforcement to fight against catalytic converter theft from vehicles.

KCPAO spokesperson Douglas Wagoner said the office worked directly with the Legislature to develop and pass legislation to combat these thefts that disrupt residents’ lives in King County and across Washington.

Catalytic converters are part of a vehicle’s exhaust system and are commonly stolen because of the precious metals they contain, such as platinum, palladium and rhodium.

According to Wagoner, HB 2153 fills gaps in the current law that had allowed the marketplace for stolen catalytic converters to thrive. The bill has created a new regulatory framework that requires scrap metal processors and vehicle wreckers — who are catalytic converter purchasers — to be licensed if they buy catalytic converters, and also for them to be inspected.

According to Wagoner, HB 2153 also requires car dealers to mark catalytic converters so when law enforcement comes across one, they can trace it back to the source. Wagoner said purchasers must also record whom they purchase catalytic converters from and the identification number of the vehicle from which it was removed. These records must be retained for three years.

The new law also creates specific and real penalties for people who don’t follow the rules. Wagoner said penalties include at least a $1,000 fine for each violation, and people who knowingly and unlawfully traffic detached catalytic converters can receive up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Purchasers’ licensing fees will also include a $500 fee to support specified Washington State Patrol inspections of all licensed purchases of catalytic converters, the bill states.

“Together, these steps will help prevent the wild west market place for catalytic converter theft that plagued car owners across King County in recent years,” King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said in a video explaining the bill.

Wagoner said stats from the King County Sheriff’s Office showed that catalytic converter theft rose from eight in 2018, to 11 in 2019, 285 in 2020, 1,425 in 2021 and 1,196 in 2022. Wagoner said the KCSO numbers include numbers from 16 partner agencies, including unincorporated King County, King County International Airport, King County Metro Transit, Sound Transit and various other King County cities.