PART Act

Bill Number

H.R. 5221

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Transportation and Public Works

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.

Last Updated

2026-05-15T08:07:28Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose The legislation aims to deter theft of catalytic converters and other precious metal vehicle parts by enhancing vehicle identification requirements, supporting marking programs, regulating sales, and imposing new criminal penalties.

Key Provisions

• Definitions: Defines "catalytic converter" to include exhaust devices that reduce emissions, diesel oxidation catalysts, and diesel particulate filters.
• Vehicle Standards: Directs the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to revise motor vehicle theft prevention standards within 180 days to require marking of catalytic converters on new vehicles with unique part identification numbers linked to the vehicle identification number (VIN).
• Grant Program: Establishes a Department of Transportation program providing up to $7 million in grants (from American Rescue Plan Act unobligated funds or appropriations) to law enforcement, dealers, fleet owners, repair shops, and nonprofits for die or pin stamping of catalytic converters, combined with high-visibility paint. Prioritizes high-theft areas and certain vehicles.
• Sales and Recordkeeping: Requires businesses salvaging or recycling precious metal parts to retain seller information (name, ID, vehicle details) for at least two years; mandates traceable payments (e.g., check or wire) and prohibits cash or cryptocurrency transactions; bans sale or purchase of converters with removed or tampered markings.
• Criminal Penalties: Creates new federal offenses under title 18 for stealing catalytic converters (up to 5 years imprisonment) and trafficking in stolen ones, with concurrent sentencing rules; expands chop shop definitions to include extraction of precious metals.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Amends chapter 331 of title 49, United States Code, to add catalytic converters to theft prevention standards and recordkeeping rules.
• Updates section 33101 definitions and section 33106 marking exemptions.
• Introduces new sections 671 (theft) and expands sections 2321 and 2322 in title 18 to cover catalytic converters and precious metals trafficking.
• Requires Attorney General regulations for enforcement of sales rules.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: NHTSA must update regulations and databases; Department of Transportation administers grants; Department of Justice handles enforcement and penalties.
• Citizens and Businesses: Increases compliance costs for manufacturers, recyclers, and repair shops; may reduce theft incidents for vehicle owners; limits cash transactions in the recycling sector.
• International Relations: Targets interstate and foreign commerce in stolen parts, potentially aiding cross-border enforcement.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Vehicle manufacturers and importers.
• Law enforcement agencies.
• Automobile dealers, repair shops, recyclers, and scrap yards.
• Owners of vehicle fleets and individual consumers.
• Nonprofit organizations involved in vehicle services.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Expands federal authority over motor vehicle parts under commerce powers, potentially raising questions about federal versus state jurisdiction in theft prevention.
• Introduces record retention and payment traceability mandates that could affect privacy and business operations in the recycling industry.
• Establishes new federal crimes with specific penalties, including concurrent sentencing, to address gaps in existing theft and trafficking statutes.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]

Cosponsors (64)

Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Mann, Tracey [R-KS-1], Rep. Carter, Earl L. "Buddy" [R-GA-1], Rep. Babin, Brian [R-TX-36], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Bice, Stephanie I. [R-OK-5], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Rogers, Mike D. [R-AL-3], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Obernolte, Jay [R-CA-23], Rep. McDowell, Addison P. [R-NC-6], Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Rouzer, David [R-NC-7], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2], Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2], Rep. Kelly, Trent [R-MS-1], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Rose, John W. [R-TN-6], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Leger Fernandez, Teresa [D-NM-3], Rep. Gillen, Laura [D-NY-4], Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-14], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Vasquez, Gabe [D-NM-2], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2] and 14 more

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
• 2026-02-10: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
• 2025-09-10: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
• 2025-09-09: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
• 2025-09-09: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-09-09: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-09-09: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-09-09: Introduced in House
• 2025-09-09: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act — issued 2025-09-09 — PDF (16 pages)