Committee adopts amendment to curb catalytic‑converter thefts; recyclers and salvage yards agree to VIN-tagging carve-out

The Senate committee adopted an amendment and passed House Bill 10-12, a measure aimed at reducing statewide catalytic-converter theft. Sponsor Rep. Rye said catalytic-converter thefts are an "epidemic" affecting vehicles and church buses and sought coordinated requirements among pawn shops, salvage yards and recyclers.

Industry witnesses from the Arkansas Recyclers Association and Arkansas Auto Recyclers Association asked the committee to ensure the amendment (handed out minutes before testimony) did not create an unintended exemption for buyers of converters for scrap. Walter Wright and Josh Hemper (Arkansas Recyclers Association) asked for confirmation that non-scrap recyclers purchasing converters must still register with local sheriffs and comply with the state's LEED/electronic system. Hardee Hopper (past president of the Arkansas Auto Recyclers Association and owner of Sonny's Auto Salvage) said the amendment limits the exemption to parts sold as repair parts and that recyclers agreed to add identifying numbers and VINs on receipts to link parts to the donor vehicle.

Hopper explained converters still have precious metals and fetch $500–$600 used; the amendment includes a VIN-based receipt requirement and an exception only for parts sold as repair parts in EPA-compliant fashion. With those clarifications, recyclers said they want to be part of the solution and committee members adopted the amendment and passed the bill as amended.

The sponsor said the amendment was negotiated with stakeholders over the prior weekend and indicated the revised language addresses the industry's concerns. The bill moves forward as amended.