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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 406 FILED ON: 1/14/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2298
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Bruce E. Tarr
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act relative to the sale of old metals and vehicle catalytic converters.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Bruce E. TarrFirst Essex and Middlesex 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 406 FILED ON: 1/14/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 2298
By Mr. Tarr, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 2298) of Bruce E. Tarr for legislation
relative to the sale of old metals and vehicle catalytic converters. Transportation.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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An Act relative to the sale of old metals and vehicle catalytic converters.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 Chapter 266 of the General Laws is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
2 Section 148. (a) For the purposes of this section, the term “catalytic converter” shall
3mean an exhaust-system component of an automobile, as defined in section 1 of chapter 90,
4containing a catalyst that causes conversion of harmful gases including, but not limited to,
5carbon monoxide and uncombusted hydrocarbons into mostly harmless products including, but
6not limited to, water and carbon dioxide.
7 (b)(1) Any person or entity licensed pursuant to sections 54, 54A, 56 or 58 of chapter 140
8or section 1 of chapter 140B shall: (i)(A) not purchase, accept or acquire a catalytic converter
9from another person or entity unless the seller or offeror presents proof of identification in
10addition to a bill of sale or other legal document demonstrating ownership of the catalytic
11converter; and (B) preserve photocopies or digital images of the documentation; (ii) keep records
12of all catalytic converter transactions; and (iii) make available to the local chief of police or the 2 of 3
13chief’s designee any records created pursuant to this subsection upon request by the chief or the
14chief’s designee.
15 (2) The following shall be included in the records prepared pursuant to paragraph (1): (i)
16the date of transaction; (ii) the name, address, telephone number and signature of the seller or
17offeror of the catalytic converter; (iii) a photocopy or digital image of the seller’s or offeror’s
18photo identification; (iv) the license plate number of the vehicle used to transport the catalytic
19converter to the licensee; (v) a description of the catalytic converter; (vi) a photograph of the
20catalytic converter; (vii) photocopies or digital images of the bill of sale or other legal document
21demonstrating ownership by the seller or offeror; and (viii) the price paid by the licensee for each
22catalytic converter and the total transaction amount.
23 Records created pursuant to this subsection shall be maintained for 3 years from the date
24of the transaction.
25 (3) All licensees involved in the sale and purchase of a catalytic converter shall use a
26company check as a method of payment for transactions: (i) exceeding $250 per customer per
27day; or (ii) that include not less than 3 catalytic converters.
28 (4) This subsection shall not apply to licensees' acquisitions or purchases of whole motor
29vehicles.
30 (5) A person or entity licensed pursuant to sections 54, 54A, 56 or 58 of chapter 140 or
31section 1 of chapter 140B shall not enter into a transaction to purchase or receive a catalytic
32converter from any person who is not a commercial enterprise or owner of the vehicle from
33which the catalytic converter was removed. 3 of 3
34 (c) The police department having jurisdiction in the city or town where the licensee is
35located shall enforce the provisions of subsection (b) and may issue a civil fine to the license
36holder of $100 for each catalytic converter sold in violation of this section and: (i) $300 for the
37first offense; (ii) $550 for the second offense; and (iii) $700 for each subsequent violation. The
38municipal licensing board may suspend or revoke the licensee’s license for any violations of this
39section. If, after committing a violation under subsection (b), a licensee maintains the licensee’s
40license for 36 consecutive months without a violation, any new violation committed by the
41licensee thereafter shall be treated as a first offense.