Bill > SB0133

This bill introduces comprehensive amendments to Utah's laws regarding metal theft, with a particular focus on catalytic converter theft. The legislation requires catalytic converter purchasers to document detailed information about each transaction, including the seller's identification, a digital photograph of the seller, fingerprints, and specifics about the catalytic converter itself. The bill establishes stricter penalties for metal and catalytic converter theft, creating a new specific criminal offense for such theft with graduated penalties based on the value of the stolen metal and the offender's criminal history. Catalytic converters are defined as motor vehicle exhaust system components that reduce vehicle emissions, and the law now explicitly classifies them as a specific type of regulated metal. The bill also updates definitions of various types of metal, including ferrous, nonferrous, and regulated metal, and adds metal or catalytic converter theft to the list of unlawful activities that can be prosecuted under racketeering laws. Additionally, the legislation provides merchants with more rights to detain and take civil action against individuals suspected of metal theft, including the ability to ban repeat offenders from their premises. The bill is designed to combat the growing problem of metal theft, particularly catalytic converter theft, by creating more robust documentation requirements and increasing legal penalties for such crimes. The new law is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/SB0133.html