WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 484
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Chapter 484
(House Bill 871)
AN ACT concerning
Business Regulation – Detached Catalytic Converters – Record–Keeping
Requirements
FOR the purpose of requiring the records of junk dealers, scrap metal processors, and
automotive dismantlers and recyclers to include certain information about the
vehicle from which a detached catalytic converter, or part of a detached catalytic
converter, was obtained from a person; and generally relating to catalytic converters
and record–keeping requirements.
BY repealing and reenacting, without amendments,
Article – Business Regulation
Section 17–1001(a) and (f) and 17–1009(b)(1)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2015 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Business Regulation
Section 17–1009(a) and (b)(2)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2015 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,
Article – Transportation
Section 15–511(a) and (b)
Annotated Code of Maryland
(2020 Replacement Volume and 2023 Supplement)
SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND,
That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:
Article – Business Regulation
17–1001.
(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(f) (1) “Junk” or “scrap metal” includes:
(i) nonferrous articles made wholly or substantially of:
1. aluminum; Ch. 484 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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2. babbitt metal;
3. brass;
4. bronze;
5. light copper;
6. heavy copper;
7. lead;
8. low carbon chrome;
9. low carbon manganese;
10. molybdenum;
11. monel metal;
12. pewter;
13. nickel;
14. stainless steel;
15. tin;
16. vanadium;
17. zinc;
18. platinum;
19. gold;
20. rhodium; or
21. other nonferrous metals; and
(ii) the following used articles, made of either ferrous or nonferrous
metal:
1. catalytic converters;
WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 484
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2. metal bleachers;
3. hard–drawn copper;
4. metal beer kegs;
5. cemetery urns;
6. grave markers;
7. propane tanks;
8. cell tower batteries; and
9. any other used articles owned by a public utility including:
A. guardrails;
B. manhole covers;
C. metal light poles;
D. tree grates;
E. water meters; and
F. street signs.
(2) “Junk” or “scrap metal” does not include beverage cans or food cans.
17–1009.
(a) (1) This section applies to all junk dealers and scrap metal processors doing
business in the State, including nonresident junk dealers and nonresident scrap metal
processors.
(2) (I) [This] SUBJECT TO SUBPARAGRA PH (II) OF THIS
PARAGRAPH , THIS section applies to an automotive dismantler and recycler or scrap metal
processor licensed under Title 15, Subtitle 5 of the Transportation Article if the automotive
dismantler and recycler or scrap metal processor:
[(i)] 1. conducts business as a licensed junk dealer or scrap metal
processor;
[(ii)] 2. acquires vehicle parts that qualify as junk or scrap metal
as defined under § 17–1001(f) of this subtitle; or Ch. 484 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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[(iii)] 3. acquires articles that are listed, or made of metals that are
listed, in § 17–1001(f) of this subtitle.
(II) SUBSECTION (B)(2) OF THIS SECTION APPL IES TO ANY
AUTOMOTIVE DISMANTLE R AND RECYCLER OR SC RAP METAL PROCESSOR LICENSED
UNDER TITLE 15, SUBTITLE 5 OF THE TRANSPORTATION ARTICLE IF ALL OR PAR T
OF A DETACHED CATALYTIC CONVERTER IS ACQUIRED BY THE A UTOMOTIVE
DISMANTLER AND RECYC LER OR SCRAP METAL P ROCESSOR FROM A PERSON .
(3) This section does not apply to:
(i) EXCEPT AS PROVIDED I N PARAGRAPH (2)(II) OF THIS
SUBSECTION, an automotive dismantler and recycler or scrap metal processor that only
acquires whole vehicles for the purpose of dismantling, destroying, or scrapping them for
the benefit of their parts or the materials in them; or
(ii) a person that buys scrap metal to use as raw material to produce
1,000,000 tons of steel or more in the State per calendar year.
(4) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, this
section preempts the right of a county or municipality to regulate the resale of junk or scrap
metal.
(ii) This section does not limit the power of a county or municipality
to license junk dealers and scrap metal processors.
(iii) This section supersedes any existing law of a county or
municipality that regulates the resale of junk or scrap metal.
(b) (1) For each purchase of junk or scrap metal in the State, a junk dealer or
scrap metal processor shall keep an accurate record in English.
(2) The record shall state:
(i) the date and time of purchase;
(ii) a description of the junk or scrap metal purchased, including:
1. the type and grade of the junk or scrap metal; [and]
2. if payment is based on weight, the weight of each type and
grade of junk or scrap metal; AND
WES MOORE, Governor Ch. 484
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3. IF THE JUNK OR SCRAP METAL INCLUDES ALL O R
PART OF A DETACHED CATALYTIC CONVERTER , THE VEHICLE IDENTIFI CATION
NUMBER OF THE VEHICL E FROM WHICH IT WAS OBTAINED;
(iii) the amount paid or other consideration for the junk or scrap
metal;
(iv) the registration plate number, make, and model of any vehicle
used, INCLUDING FOR ANY VEHICLE FROM WHICH ALL OR PA RT OF A CATALYTIC
CONVERTER WAS OBTAIN ED;
(v) the name and address of the individual from whom the junk or
scrap metal is acquired;
(vi) the signature of:
1. the individual from whom the junk or scrap metal is
acquired; and
2. the junk dealer, scrap metal processor, or employee who
accepted the junk or scrap metal; and
(vii) for each individual from whom the junk dealer or scrap metal
processor acquires junk or scrap metal:
1. the date of birth and driver’s license number of the
individual; or
2. identification information about the individual from a
valid State–issued photo ID that provides a physical description of the individual, including
the sex, race, any distinguishing features, and approximate age, height, and weight of the
individual.
Article – Transportation
15–511.
(a) Each automotive dismantler and recycler and each scrap processor shall keep
an accurate and complete record of all vehicles acquired in [his] THE PERSON’S business.
(b) The records shall contain, for each vehicle acquired:
(1) The name and address of the person from whom the vehicle was
acquired;
(2) The date on which it was acquired; Ch. 484 2024 LAWS OF MARYLAND
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(3) Documentary evidence acceptable to the Administration of ownership
of the vehicle; [and]
(4) ANY INFORMATION REQUI RED UNDER § 17–1009(B) OF THE
BUSINESS REGULATION ARTICLE; AND
[(4)] (5) Any other information that the Administration requires.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 2024.
Approved by the Governor, May 9, 2024.