THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	55
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to motor vehicles.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 708, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§708-    Theft of a catalytic converter. (1) A person commits the offense of theft of a catalytic converter if the person commits theft of a catalytic converter.

(2) For the purposes of this section, "catalytic converter" means a device that is incorporated in a motor vehicle's exhaust system and contains a catalyst for converting pollutant gas emissions into less harmful emissions.

(3) Theft of a catalytic converter is a class C felony."

SECTION 2. Section 289-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§289-6 Records to be kept. (a) Every licensee shall keep a record, and maintain it for three years, in the form the director of finance prescribes, of the purchases, consignments, sales, and exchanges, moneys, commissions, or any other thing of value paid or agreed to be paid to any person for each wrecked, salvaged, or rebuilt motor vehicle, used motor vehicle part or accessory purchased, sold, consigned to be sold, or exchanged, and the records shall be at all times open to the inspection of the director of finance, or the director of finance's authorized representative, or any police officer. The records shall contain:

(1) The name, address, vehicle registration, and driver's license number of all persons from whom any wrecked, salvaged, or rebuilt motor vehicle, or used motor vehicle part or accessory is purchased or received, the date of their receipt or acquisition, and the consideration given;

(2) The name and address of any person to whom any wrecked, salvaged, or rebuilt motor vehicle, or used motor vehicle part or accessory is sold, consigned to be sold, or otherwise exchanged, the consideration received therefor, and its date of disposition;

(3) The name and address of any person who has received any money, commissions, or anything of value, or to whom the same is due and owing, in connection with the sale or purchase of any such motor vehicle, or used motor vehicle part or accessory; and

(4) A description of every such motor vehicle, used motor vehicle part, or accessory, including the identifying number or numbers for each such motor vehicle or used motor vehicle part or accessory.

(b) If the seller does not provide a copy of the information required under subsection (a)(1), the licensee shall not purchase the wrecked, salvaged, or rebuilt motor vehicle, or used motor vehicle part or accessory and shall report the attempted sale to the police."

SECTION 3. Section 289-8, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§289-8 Penalties. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this chapter or any lawful rule or regulation promulgated by the director of finance under authority of this chapter, for the violation of which no penalty is provided by law, shall be fined not less than [$25] $100 nor more than [$500.] $2000."

SECTION 4. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 5. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Motor Vehicles; Used Motor Vehicles Parts and Accessories; Theft of a Catalytic Converter

Description:

Establishes a new offense of theft of a catalytic converter. Requires vehicle registration records to be kept for businesses engaged in the selling or negotiating the purchase of used motor vehicle parts or accessories. Specifies that these businesses are required to refuse purchase of used motor vehicle parts or accessories and report the attempted sale to police if a seller does not provide certain information at the time of the attempted sale. Changes the fine for any violations of the used motor vehicle parts and accessories law.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.