Beginning in April 2025, Washington State will implement what is being described as its strongest ever protections against catalytic converter theft. This development comes as a result of the passage of ESHB 2153, a bill that was a top legislative priority for King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion.

Over several legislative sessions, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office actively collaborated with the Washington State Legislature to develop and secure the passage of legislation aimed at combating the increasing problem of catalytic converter thefts, which have significantly disrupted the lives of residents in King County and across Washington.

According to King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion, with ESHB 2153 taking effect on April 1, 2025, "for the first time, law enforcement and prosecutors will have the tools we need to hold people accountable for trafficking in stolen catalytic converters". She expressed her gratitude for the partnership with the bill’s prime sponsor, Representative Cindy Ryu, and the strong support from the Washington legislature, calling it "a win for King County and for Washington State".

Representative Cindy Ryu, the lead sponsor of the bill, stated, "I am delighted to have worked closely with the King County Prosecutor’s Office in the introduction and passage of HB 2153 in the 2024 Session, a pivotal step in deterring catalytic converter thefts in Washington". She emphasized that "HB 2153 safeguards vehicle owners’ property and businesses from financial losses, addressing the disruptive impact on individuals, economy, and public safety. Through proactive enforcement, we aim to create a safer environment for all Washingtonians".

The need for this new law arose from the fact that, prior to its enactment, law enforcement faced significant challenges in tracing stolen catalytic converters back to specific vehicles. Additionally, the absence of licensing requirements for private purchasers created an easily exploitable marketplace for these stolen goods. As Senior Deputy Prosecutor Gary Ernsdorff explained, this situation meant that "30 seconds of work by a prolific thief would almost immediately lead to an untraceable and valuable commodity to be sold to one of many unscrupulous purchases," fostering a black market driven by demand. This resulted in a high volume of thefts and a very low number of cases that could be successfully prosecuted. The new law aims to address this by "cutting off the source: stopping the demand that was driving the black market".

ESHB 2153 introduces several key changes to the regulation of catalytic converters in Washington State, set to take effect on April 1:

•Prior to ESHB 2153, Washington’s marketplace for catalytic converters had no uniform licensing requirements, inadequate record keeping, and no routine inspections for entities involved in their purchase.

• The new law will require vehicle dealers to mark catalytic converters to enable law enforcement to trace them back to the source.

• Purchasers will be required to record the identity of the seller and the VIN number of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed.

• These records must be retained for three years.

• The law mandates that purchasers must be licensed, regulated, and subject to inspections.

• Specific penalties are established for those who operate outside these regulations, with a minimum fine of $1,000 for each violation.

• New criminal penalties are created for individuals who "knowingly and unlawfully traffic in detached catalytic converters," carrying a potential sentence of up to 5 years and a $10,000 fine.

•A new $500 licensing fee will be implemented, with the revenue directly allocated to the Washington State Patrol to fund inspections and enforcement.

These comprehensive measures are intended to bring an end to the "wild west marketplace" of catalytic converters and provide law enforcement with the necessary tools to effectively combat theft and hold offenders accountable.