H-2423.1

HOUSE BILL 2153

ByRepresentatives Ryu, Ormsby, Cheney, Reeves, Pollet, and Davis

AN ACT Relating to deterring the theft of catalytic converters; amending RCW 19.290.010, 19.290.020, 19.290.030, 19.290.040, 19.290.050, 19.290.060, 19.290.080, 19.290.220, 19.290.240, 46.79.010, 46.80.080, 46.80.210, and 9A.82.010; reenacting and amending RCW 46.80.010 and 9.94A.515; adding a new section to chapter 19.290 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.70 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 46.79 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.80 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 43.43 RCW; adding new sections to chapter 9A.82 RCW; creating a new section; prescribing penalties; providing effective dates; and declaring an emergency.

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

Therefore, the legislature intends to require all purchasers to be licensed and subject to regulation and inspection. To facilitate the ability to track catalytic converters, the legislature further intends to require permanent marking of catalytic converters for the purpose of identifying the originating vehicle. The legislature also intends to create a related structure for enforcing these provisions and imposing penalties commensurate with the enforcement and penalty structures found in comparable areas of law.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 19.290 RCW to read as follows:

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize licensed scrap metal businesses to purchase or sell junk vehicles or major component parts as defined in RCW 46.79.010.

Sec. 3. RCW 19.290.010 and 2023 c 125 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Commercial account" means a relationship between a scrap metal business and a commercial enterprise that is ongoing and properly documented under RCW 19.290.030.

(2) "Commercial enterprise" means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association, state agency, political subdivision of the state, public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.

(3) "Commercial metal property" means: Utility access covers; street light poles and fixtures; road and bridge guardrails; highway or street signs; water meter covers; traffic directional and control signs; traffic light signals; any metal property marked with the name of a commercial enterprise, including but not limited to a telephone, commercial mobile radio services, cable, electric, water, natural gas, or other utility, or railroad; unused or undamaged building construction materials consisting of copper pipe, tubing, or wiring, or aluminum wire, siding, downspouts, or gutters; aluminum or stainless steel fence panels made from one inch tubing, 42 inches high with four-inch gaps; aluminum decking, bleachers, or risers; historical markers; statue plaques; grave markers and funeral vases; components of electric vehicle supply equipment made available for commercial or public use; or agricultural irrigation wheels, sprinkler heads, and pipes.

(4) "Engage in business" means conducting more than 12 transactions in a 12-month period.

(5) "Nonferrous metal property" means metal property for which the value of the metal property is derived from the property's content of copper, brass, aluminum, bronze, lead, zinc, nickel, and their alloys. "Nonferrous metal property" does not include precious metals.

(6) "Person" means an individual, domestic or foreign corporation, limited liability corporation, partnership, trust, unincorporated association, or other entity; an affiliate or associate of any such person; or any two or more persons acting as a partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purpose of acquiring, holding, or dispersing of securities of a domestic or foreign corporation.

(7) "Precious metals" means gold, silver, and platinum.

(8) (("Private metal property" means catalytic converters, either singly or in bundles, bales, or bulk, that have been removed from vehicles for sale as a specific commodity.

(9))) "Record" means a paper, electronic, or other method of storing information.

(((10)))(9) "Scrap metal business" means a scrap metal supplier, scrap metal recycler, and scrap metal processor.

(((11)))(10) "Scrap metal processor" means a person with a current business license that conducts business from a permanent location, that is engaged in the business of purchasing or receiving ((private metal property,)) nonferrous metal property((,)) and commercial metal property for the purpose of altering the metal in preparation for its use as feedstock in the manufacture of new products, and that maintains a hydraulic bailer, shearing device, or shredding device for recycling.

(((12)))(11) "Scrap metal recycler" means a person with a current business license that is engaged in the business of purchasing or receiving ((private metal property,)) nonferrous metal property((,)) and commercial metal property for the purpose of aggregation and sale to another scrap metal business and that maintains a fixed place of business within the state.

(((13)))(12) "Scrap metal supplier" means a person with a current business license that is engaged in the business of purchasing or receiving ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property for the purpose of aggregation and sale to a scrap metal recycler or scrap metal processor and that does not maintain a fixed business location in the state.

(((14)))(13) "Transaction" means a pledge, or the purchase of, or the trade of any item of ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property by a scrap metal business from a member of the general public. "Transaction" does not include donations or the purchase or receipt of ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property by a scrap metal business from a commercial enterprise, from another scrap metal business, or from a duly authorized employee or agent of the commercial enterprise or scrap metal business.

Sec. 4. RCW 19.290.020 and 2022 c 221 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) At the time of a transaction, every scrap metal business doing business in this state shall produce wherever that business is conducted an accurate and legible record of each transaction involving ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property. This record must be written in the English language, documented on a standardized form or in electronic form, and contain the following information:

(a) The signature of the person with whom the transaction is made;

(b) The time, date, location, and value of the transaction;

(c) The name of the employee representing the scrap metal business in the transaction;

(d) The name, street address, and telephone number of the person with whom the transaction is made;

(e) The license plate number and state of issuance of the license plate on the motor vehicle used to deliver the ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property subject to the transaction;

(f) A description of the motor vehicle used to deliver the ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property subject to the transaction;

(g) The current driver's license number or other government-issued picture identification card number of the seller or a copy of the seller's government-issued picture identification card; and

(h) A description of the predominant types of ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property subject to the transaction, utilizing the institute of scrap recycling industries' generally accepted terminology, and including weight, quantity, or volume((; and

(i) For every transaction specifically involving a catalytic converter that has been removed from a vehicle, documentation indicating that the private metal property in the seller's possession is the result of the seller replacing private metal property from a vehicle registered in the seller's name)).

(2) For every transaction that involves ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property, every scrap metal business doing business in the state shall require the person with whom a transaction is being made to sign a declaration. The declaration may be included as part of the transactional record required under subsection (1) of this section, or on a receipt for the transaction. The declaration must state substantially the following:

"I, the undersigned, affirm under penalty of law that the property that is subject to this transaction is not to the best of my knowledge stolen property."

The declaration must be signed and dated by the person with whom the transaction is being made. An employee of the scrap metal business must witness the signing and dating of the declaration and sign the declaration accordingly before any transaction may be consummated.

(3) The record and declaration required under this section must be open to the inspection of any commissioned law enforcement officer of the state or any of its political subdivisions at all times during the ordinary hours of business, or at reasonable times if ordinary hours of business are not kept, and must be maintained wherever that business is conducted for five years following the date of the transaction.

Sec. 5. RCW 19.290.030 and 2022 c 221 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) No scrap metal business may enter into a transaction to purchase or receive ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property from any person who cannot produce at least one piece of current government-issued picture identification, including a valid driver's license or identification card issued by any state.

(2) No scrap metal business may purchase or receive ((private metal property or)) commercial metal property unless the seller: (a) Has a commercial account with the scrap metal business; (b) can prove ownership of the property by producing written documentation that the seller is the owner of the property; or (c) can produce written documentation that the seller is an employee or agent authorized to sell the property on behalf of a commercial enterprise.

(3) No scrap metal business may enter into a transaction to purchase or receive metallic wire that was burned in whole or in part to remove insulation unless the seller can produce written proof to the scrap metal business that the wire was lawfully burned.

(4)(a) No transaction involving ((private metal property or)) nonferrous metal property may be made in cash or with any person who does not provide a street address and photographic identification and sign a declaration under the requirements of RCW 19.290.020(((1) (d) and (g))) except as described in (b) ((and (c))) of this subsection. The person with whom the transaction is being made may only be paid by a nontransferable check, mailed by the scrap metal business to a street address provided under RCW 19.290.020, no earlier than three days after the transaction was made. A transaction occurs on the date provided in the record required under RCW 19.290.020.

(b) A scrap metal business that is in compliance with this chapter may pay up to a maximum of $30 in cash, stored value device, or electronic funds transfer for nonferrous metal property. The balance of the value of the transaction may be made by nontransferable check, stored value device, or electronic funds transfer at the time the transaction is made if the scrap metal business digitally captures:

(i) A copy of one piece of current government-issued picture identification, including a current driver's license or identification card issued by any state; and

(ii) Either a picture or video of either the material subject to the transaction in the form received or the material subject to the transaction within the vehicle which the material was transported to the scrap metal business.

(((c) Payment to individual sellers of private metal property as defined in this chapter may not be made at the time of the transaction and shall not be paid earlier than three business days after the transaction was made. Records of payment for private metal property as defined in this chapter must be kept in the same file or record as all records collected under this subsection and retained and be available for review for two years from the date of the transaction.))

(5)(a) A scrap metal business's usage of video surveillance shall be sufficient to comply with subsection (4)(b)(ii) of this section so long as the video captures the material subject to the transaction.

(b) A digital image or picture taken under this section must be available for two years from the date of transaction, while a video recording must be available for 30 days.

(6) No scrap metal business may purchase or receive beer kegs from anyone except a manufacturer of beer kegs or licensed brewery.

Sec. 6. RCW 19.290.040 and 2013 c 322 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Every scrap metal business must create and maintain a permanent record with a commercial enterprise, including another scrap metal business, in order to establish a commercial account. That record, at a minimum, must include the following information:

(a) The full name of the commercial enterprise or commercial account;

(b) The business address and telephone number of the commercial enterprise or commercial account; and

(c) The full name of the person employed by the commercial enterprise who is authorized to deliver ((private metal property,)) nonferrous metal property((,)) and commercial metal property to the scrap metal business.

(2) The record maintained by a scrap metal business for a commercial account must document every purchase or receipt of ((private metal property,)) nonferrous metal property((,)) and commercial metal property from the commercial enterprise. The record must be maintained for three years following the date of the transfer or receipt. The documentation must include, at a minimum, the following information:

(a) The time, date, and value of the property being purchased or received;

(b) A description of the predominant types of property being purchased or received; and

(c) The signature of the person delivering the property to the scrap metal business.

Sec. 7. RCW 19.290.050 and 2013 c 322 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) ((Upon))In addition to all other requirements of this chapter, upon request by any commissioned law enforcement officer of the state or any of its political subdivisions, every scrap metal business shall furnish a full, true, and correct transcript of the records from the purchase or receipt of ((private metal property,)) nonferrous metal property((,)) and commercial metal property involving only a specified individual, vehicle, or item of ((private metal property,)) nonferrous metal property((,)) or commercial metal property. This information may be transmitted within a specified time of not less than two business days to the applicable law enforcement agency electronically, by facsimile transmission, or by modem or similar device, or by delivery of computer disk subject to the requirements of, and approval by, the chief of police or the county's chief law enforcement officer.

(2) Any records created or produced under this section are exempt from disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW.

(3) If the scrap metal business has good cause to believe that any ((private metal property,)) nonferrous metal property((,)) or commercial metal property in ((his or her))their possession has been previously lost or stolen, the scrap metal business shall promptly report that fact to the applicable commissioned law enforcement officer of the state, the chief of police, or the county's chief law enforcement officer, together with the name of the owner, if known, and the date when and the name of the person from whom it was received.

(4) Compliance with this section shall not give rise to or form the basis of private civil liability on the part of a scrap metal business or scrap metal recycler.

Sec. 8. RCW 19.290.060 and 2013 c 322 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Following notification in writing from a commissioned law enforcement officer of the state or any of its political subdivisions that an item of ((private metal property,)) nonferrous metal property((,)) or commercial metal property has been reported as stolen, a scrap metal business shall hold that property intact and safe from alteration, damage, or commingling, and shall place an identifying tag or other suitable identification upon the property. The scrap metal business shall hold the property for a period of time as directed by the applicable law enforcement agency up to a maximum of ten business days.

(2) A commissioned law enforcement officer of the state or any of its political subdivisions shall not place on hold any item of ((private metal property,)) nonferrous metal property((,)) or commercial metal property unless that law enforcement agency reasonably suspects that the property is a lost or stolen item. Any hold that is placed on the property must be removed within ten business days after the property on hold is determined not to be stolen or lost and the property must be returned to the owner or released.

Sec. 9. RCW 19.290.080 and 2007 c 377 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Each violation of the requirements of this chapter that are not subject to the criminal penalties under RCW ((19.290.070))9A.56.410 shall be punishable((, upon conviction,)) by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars.

(2) Within two years ((of being convicted)) of a violation of any of the requirements of this chapter that ((are not subject to the criminal penalties under RCW 19.290.070))results in a civil penalty under this section, each subsequent violation shall be punishable((, upon conviction,)) by a fine of not more than two thousand dollars.

Sec. 10. RCW 19.290.220 and 2013 c 322 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Law enforcement agencies may register with the scrap theft alert system that is maintained and provided at no charge to users by the institute of scrap recycling industries, incorporated, or its successor organization, to receive alerts regarding thefts of ((private,)) nonferrous((,)) or commercial metal property in the relevant geographic area.

(2) Any business licensed under this chapter shall:

(a) Sign up with the scrap theft alert system that is maintained and provided at no charge to users by the institute of scrap recycling industries, incorporated, or its successor organization, to receive alerts regarding thefts of ((private,)) nonferrous((,)) or commercial metal property in the relevant geographic area;

(b) Download the scrap metal theft alerts generated by the scrap theft alert system on a daily basis;

(c) Use the alerts to identify potentially stolen commercial metal property((,))and nonferrous metal property((, and private metal property)); and

(d) Maintain for ((ninety))90 days copies of any theft alerts received and downloaded pursuant to this section.

Sec. 11. RCW 19.290.240 and 2013 c 322 s 28 are each amended to read as follows:

The provisions of this chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that traffic in stolen ((private))commercial metal property ((or))and nonferrous metal property may be prevented, and irresponsible, unreliable, or dishonest persons may be prevented from engaging in the business of processing, recycling, or supplying scrap metal in this state and reliable persons may be encouraged to engage in businesses of processing, recycling, or supplying scrap metal in this state.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 46.70 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A vehicle dealer shall, prior to the sale and transfer of a vehicle, clearly and permanently mark the last eight digits of the originating vehicle's vehicle identification number on the vehicle's catalytic converter unless such marking already exists on the catalytic converter, the catalytic converter is not in a location where it is clearly visible from the underside of the vehicle, or the vehicle is sold at wholesale. Reasonable costs for the marking may be included in the sale price of the vehicle if separately delineated and clearly marked.

(2) Catalytic converters that are not marked as required by this section are subject to immediate seizure and forfeiture by law enforcement.

(3) Beginning November 1, 2024, the Washington state patrol may grant a vehicle dealer an exception to the requirements of this section if it determines that meeting the requirements would impose an unreasonable financial hardship on the vehicle dealer in accordance with the policies established pursuant to section 22 of this act.

Sec. 13. RCW 46.79.010 and 2001 c 64 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context indicates otherwise.

(1) "Junk vehicle" means a motor vehicle certified under RCW 46.55.230 as meeting all the following requirements:

(a) Is three years old or older;

(b) Is extensively damaged, such damage including but not limited to any of the following: A broken window or windshield or missing wheels, tires, motor, or transmission;

(c) Is apparently inoperable;

(d) Is without a valid, current registration plate;

(e) Has a fair market value equal only to the value of the scrap in it.

(2) "Scrap processor" means a licensed establishment that maintains a hydraulic baler and shears, or a shredder for recycling salvage.

(3) "Demolish" means to destroy completely by use of a hydraulic baler and shears, or a shredder.

(4) "Hulk hauler" means any person who deals in vehicles for the sole purpose of transporting and/or selling them to a licensed vehicle wrecker or scrap processor in substantially the same form in which they are obtained. A hulk hauler may not sell secondhand motor vehicle parts to anyone other than a licensed vehicle wrecker or scrap processor, except for those parts specifically enumerated in RCW 46.79.020(2), as now or hereafter amended, which may be sold to a licensed vehicle wrecker or disposed of at a public facility for waste disposal.

(5) "Director" means the director of licensing.

(6) "Major component parts" include engines and short blocks, frames, transmissions or transfer cases, cabs, doors, front or rear differentials, front or rear clips, quarter panels or fenders, bumpers, truck beds or boxes, seats, ((and)) hoods, and catalytic converters.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 46.79 RCW to read as follows:

(1) No person may engage in the business of disassembling or de-canning a catalytic converter for removal or processing of the internal core to extract platinum, palladium, rhodium, or other metals, unless the person is a licensed scrap processor under this chapter.

(2) Any licensed scrap processor engaged in disassembling or de-canning catalytic converters as described in this section shall maintain the records of every catalytic converter the scrap processor disassembles or de-cans in accordance with the recordkeeping requirements of this chapter and other provisions of the law.

(3) Any licensed scrap processor engaged in disassembling or de-canning catalytic converters as described in this section shall implement a 30-day waiting period between the purchase and disassembly or de-canning of a catalytic converter, unless the scrap processor is also the registered owner of the originating vehicle.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 15. A new section is added to chapter 46.79 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Payment to individual sellers of catalytic converters that have been removed from a vehicle may not be made at the time of the transaction and shall not be paid earlier than three business days after the transaction was made.

(2) No transaction involving catalytic converters that have been removed from a vehicle may be made in cash or with any person who does not provide a street address and photographic identification. The person with whom the transaction is being made may only be paid by a nontransferable check, mailed by the licensed scrap processor to the street address recorded according to this section, no earlier than three days after the transaction was made. A transaction occurs on the date provided in the record required under this section.

(3) A record of each purchase of catalytic converters that have been removed from a vehicle must be kept for three years following the date of the transaction and be open to inspection by any commissioned law enforcement officer of the state or any of its political subdivisions at all times during the ordinary hours of business, or at reasonable times if ordinary hours of business are not kept. The record shall include, at a minimum, the following elements:

(a) The time, date, location, and value of the transaction;

(b) The name of the employee representing the scrap processor in the transaction;

(c) The name, street address, and telephone number of the person with whom the transaction is made;

(d) The license plate number and state of issuance of the license plate on the motor vehicle used to deliver the catalytic converter or converters subject to the transaction;

(e) A description of the motor vehicle used to deliver the catalytic converter or converters subject to the transaction;

(f) A copy of the seller's current driver's license or other government-issued picture identification card;

(g) The vehicle identification number of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed;

(h) A declaration signed by the seller that states substantially the following:

"I, the undersigned, affirm under penalty of law that the property that is subject to this transaction is not to the best of my knowledge stolen property and the information provided by me is accurate."; and

(i) A photo of the catalytic converter that includes the vehicle identification number marking required under section 23 of this act.

(4) This section does not apply to the purchase of material from a licensed business that manufactures catalytic converters in the ordinary course of its legal business.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 16. A new section is added to chapter 46.79 RCW to read as follows:

The license fees required under RCW 46.79.040 and 46.79.050 for a scrap processor's license must also include a $500 catalytic converter inspection fee, to be deposited in the state patrol highway account, in order to support the activities of the Washington state patrol under section 21 of this act.

Sec. 17. RCW 46.80.010 and 2010 c 161 s 1138 and 2010 c 8 s 9097 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

The definitions set forth in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Core" means a major component part received by a vehicle wrecker in exchange for a like part sold by the vehicle wrecker, is not resold as a major component part except for scrap metal value or for remanufacture, and the vehicle wrecker maintains records for three years from the date of acquisition to identify the name of the person from whom the core was received.

(2) "Established place of business" means a building or enclosure which the vehicle wrecker occupies either continuously or at regular periods and where his or her books and records are kept and business is transacted and which must conform with zoning regulations.

(3) "Interim owner" means the owner of a vehicle who has the original certificate of title for the vehicle, which certificate has been released by the person named on the certificate and assigned to the person offering to sell the vehicle to the wrecker.

(4) "Major component part" includes at least each of the following vehicle parts: (a) Engines and short blocks; (b) frame; (c) transmission and/or transfer case; (d) cab; (e) door; (f) front or rear differential; (g) front or rear clip; (h) quarter panel; (i) truck bed or box; (j) seat; (k) hood; (l) bumper; (m) fender; ((and)) (n) airbag; and (o) catalytic converter. The director may supplement this list by rule.

(5) "Vehicle wrecker" means every person, firm, partnership, association, or corporation engaged in the business of buying, selling, or dealing in vehicles of a type required to be registered under the laws of this state, for the purpose of wrecking, dismantling, disassembling, or substantially changing the form of a vehicle, or who buys or sells integral secondhand parts of component material thereof, in whole or in part, or who deals in secondhand vehicle parts.

(6) "Wrecked vehicle" means a vehicle which is disassembled or dismantled or a vehicle which is acquired with the intent to dismantle or disassemble and never again to operate as a vehicle, or a vehicle which has sustained such damage that its cost to repair exceeds the fair market value of a like vehicle which has not sustained such damage, or a damaged vehicle whose salvage value plus cost to repair equals or exceeds its fair market value, if repaired, or a vehicle which has sustained such damage or deterioration that it may not lawfully operate upon the highways of this state for which the salvage value plus cost to repair exceeds its fair market value, if repaired; further, it is presumed that a vehicle is a wreck if it has sustained such damage or deterioration that it may not lawfully operate upon the highways of this state.

Sec. 18. RCW 46.80.080 and 2022 c 221 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Every vehicle wrecker shall maintain books or files in which the wrecker shall keep a record and a description of:

(a) Every vehicle wrecked, dismantled, disassembled, or substantially altered by the wrecker; and

(b) Every major component part, including catalytic converters, acquired by the wrecker; together with a bill of sale signed by a seller whose identity has been verified and the name and address of the person, firm, or corporation from whom the wrecker purchased the vehicle or part. Major component parts other than cores shall be further identified by the vehicle identification number of the vehicle from which the part came.

(2) The record shall also contain the following data regarding the wrecked or acquired vehicle or vehicle that is the source of a major component part, including catalytic converters, other than a core:

(a) The certificate of title number (if previously titled in this or any other state);

(b) Name of state where last registered;

(c) Number of the last license number plate issued;

(d) Name of vehicle;

(e) Motor or identification number and serial number of the vehicle;

(f) Date purchased;

(g) Disposition of the motor and chassis;

(h) Yard number assigned by the licensee to the vehicle or major component part, which shall also appear on the identified vehicle or part; and

(i) Such other information as the department may require.

(3) The records shall also contain a bill of sale signed by the seller for other minor component parts, including catalytic converters, acquired by the licensee, identifying the seller by name, address, and date of sale.

(4) In addition to all other requirements of this chapter, the records of each transaction involving the purchase of catalytic converters that have been removed from a vehicle shall also include, at a minimum, the following elements:

(5) The records shall be maintained by the licensee at his or her established place of business for a period of three years from the date of acquisition.

(((5)))(6) The record is subject to inspection at all times during regular business hours by members of the police department, sheriff's office, members of the Washington state patrol, or officers or employees of the department.

(((6)))(7) A vehicle wrecker shall also maintain a similar record of all disabled vehicles that have been towed or transported to the vehicle wrecker's place of business or to other places designated by the owner of the vehicle or his or her representative. This record shall specify the name and description of the vehicle, name of owner, number of license plate, condition of the vehicle and place to which it was towed or transported.

(((7)))(8) Failure to comply with this section is a gross misdemeanor.

Sec. 19. RCW 46.80.210 and 2022 c 221 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Payment to individual sellers of ((private metal property as defined in RCW 19.290.010))catalytic converters that have been removed from a vehicle may not be made at the time of the transaction and shall not be paid earlier than three business days after the transaction was made.

(2) No transaction involving catalytic converters that have been removed from a vehicle may be made in cash or with any person who does not provide a street address and photographic identification. The person with whom the transaction is being made may only be paid by a nontransferable check, mailed by the licensed auto wrecker to a street address recorded according to RCW 46.80.080, no earlier than three days after the transaction was made. A transaction occurs on the date provided in the record required under RCW 46.80.080.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 20. A new section is added to chapter 46.80 RCW to read as follows:

The license fees required under RCW 46.80.040 and 46.80.050 must also include a $500 catalytic converter inspection fee, to be deposited in the state patrol highway account, in order to support the activities of the Washington state patrol under section 21 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 21. A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:

Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the Washington state patrol shall:

(1) Conduct periodic inspections at least once a year of all licensed purchasers of catalytic converters that have been removed from vehicles that are licensed under chapter 46.79 or 46.80 RCW;

(2) Develop a standardized inspection form and train local law enforcement agencies, civilian employees, and limited authority law enforcement personnel on inspection procedures of licensed purchasers;

(3) Specify which specific law enforcement agencies have a duty to inspect the different business types that are licensed to purchase catalytic converters; and

(4) Authorize inspections to be conducted by civilian employees or limited authority law enforcement agencies if necessary to increase the availability of potential inspectors, provided that the Washington state patrol shall retain oversight of such inspections.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 22. A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:

By November 1, 2024, and subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the Washington state patrol shall establish a process for evaluating and granting exemptions to vehicle dealers from the catalytic converter permanent marking requirements under section 12 of this act, including by developing and publishing a list of factors and circumstances that must be considered when determining whether meeting the requirements under section 12 of this act would impose an unreasonable financial hardship on a vehicle dealer.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 23. A new section is added to chapter 9A.82 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Any person who removes a catalytic converter from a vehicle for a purpose other than maintenance, repair, or demolition, or who knowingly possesses an unmarked detached catalytic converter, must permanently mark the detached catalytic converter with the last eight digits of the originating vehicle's vehicle identification number such that at least a portion of the marking is visible from any side. The marking must be completed in a reasonable time after removal, but no later than 24 hours after removal, and before off-site transport of the detached catalytic converter.

(2) Detached catalytic converters that are not marked as required by this section are subject to immediate seizure and forfeiture by law enforcement.

(3) It is a gross misdemeanor for any person who is not a scrap processor licensed under chapter 46.79 RCW or vehicle wrecker licensed under chapter 46.80 RCW to knowingly possess, sell, or offer for sale four or fewer detached catalytic converters that do not comply with the marking requirements under subsection (1) of this section.

(4) It is a class C felony for any person who is not a scrap processor licensed under chapter 46.79 RCW or vehicle wrecker licensed under chapter 46.80 RCW to knowingly possess, sell, or offer for sale five or more detached catalytic converters that do not comply with the marking requirements under subsection (1) of this section.

(5) Where a case is legally sufficient to charge an alleged juvenile offender with a violation under this section, and that violation would be the alleged offender's first violation involving detached catalytic converters, the prosecutor is encouraged to divert the case pursuant to RCW 13.40.070.

(6) It is an affirmative defense to this section that the possessor removed the detached catalytic converter with the permission of the registered owner of the vehicle or vehicles.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 24. A new section is added to chapter 9A.82 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A person is guilty of trafficking in catalytic converters in the first degree if the person knowingly:

(a) Traffics five or more catalytic converters that have been removed from a motor vehicle, without fulfilling the requirements under chapter 46.79 or 46.80 RCW for lawful transfer; or

(b) Purchases a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle, without possessing a valid scrap processor license under chapter 46.79 RCW or vehicle wrecker license under chapter 46.80 RCW.

(2) Trafficking in catalytic converters in the first degree is a class B felony.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 25. A new section is added to chapter 9A.82 RCW to read as follows:

(1) A person is guilty of trafficking in catalytic converters in the second degree if the person knowingly traffics four or fewer catalytic converters that have been removed from a motor vehicle, without fulfilling the requirements under chapter 46.79 or 46.80 RCW for lawful transfer.

(2) Trafficking in catalytic converters in the second degree is a class C felony.

Sec. 26. RCW 9A.82.010 and 2013 c 302 s 10 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context requires the contrary, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1)(a) "Beneficial interest" means:

(i) The interest of a person as a beneficiary under a trust established under Title 11 RCW in which the trustee for the trust holds legal or record title to real property;

(ii) The interest of a person as a beneficiary under any other trust arrangement under which a trustee holds legal or record title to real property for the benefit of the beneficiary; or

(iii) The interest of a person under any other form of express fiduciary arrangement under which one person holds legal or record title to real property for the benefit of the other person.

(b) "Beneficial interest" does not include the interest of a stockholder in a corporation or the interest of a partner in a general partnership or limited partnership.

(c) A beneficial interest is considered to be located where the real property owned by the trustee is located.

(2) "Control" means the possession of a sufficient interest to permit substantial direction over the affairs of an enterprise.

(3) "Creditor" means a person making an extension of credit or a person claiming by, under, or through a person making an extension of credit.

(4) "Criminal profiteering" means any act, including any anticipatory or completed offense, committed for financial gain, that is chargeable or indictable under the laws of the state in which the act occurred and, if the act occurred in a state other than this state, would be chargeable or indictable under the laws of this state had the act occurred in this state and punishable as a felony and by imprisonment for more than one year, regardless of whether the act is charged or indicted, as any of the following:

(a) Murder, as defined in RCW 9A.32.030 and 9A.32.050;

(b) Robbery, as defined in RCW 9A.56.200 and 9A.56.210;

(c) Kidnapping, as defined in RCW 9A.40.020 and 9A.40.030;

(d) Forgery, as defined in RCW 9A.60.020 and 9A.60.030;

(e) Theft, as defined in RCW 9A.56.030, 9A.56.040, 9A.56.060, 9A.56.080, and 9A.56.083;

(f) Unlawful sale of subscription television services, as defined in RCW 9A.56.230;

(g) Theft of telecommunication services or unlawful manufacture of a telecommunication device, as defined in RCW 9A.56.262 and 9A.56.264;

(h) Child selling or child buying, as defined in RCW 9A.64.030;

(i) Bribery, as defined in RCW 9A.68.010, 9A.68.020, 9A.68.040, and 9A.68.050;

(j) Gambling, as defined in RCW 9.46.220 and 9.46.215 and 9.46.217;

(k) Extortion, as defined in RCW 9A.56.120 and 9A.56.130;

(l) Unlawful production of payment instruments, unlawful possession of payment instruments, unlawful possession of a personal identification device, unlawful possession of fictitious identification, or unlawful possession of instruments of financial fraud, as defined in RCW 9A.56.320;

(m) Extortionate extension of credit, as defined in RCW 9A.82.020;

(n) Advancing money for use in an extortionate extension of credit, as defined in RCW 9A.82.030;

(o) Collection of an extortionate extension of credit, as defined in RCW 9A.82.040;

(p) Collection of an unlawful debt, as defined in RCW 9A.82.045;

(q) Delivery or manufacture of controlled substances or possession with intent to deliver or manufacture controlled substances under chapter 69.50 RCW;

(r) Trafficking in stolen property, as defined in RCW 9A.82.050;

(s) Leading organized crime, as defined in RCW 9A.82.060;

(t) Money laundering, as defined in RCW 9A.83.020;

(u) Obstructing criminal investigations or prosecutions in violation of RCW 9A.72.090, 9A.72.100, 9A.72.110, 9A.72.120, 9A.72.130, 9A.76.070, or 9A.76.180;

(v) Fraud in the purchase or sale of securities, as defined in RCW 21.20.010;

(w) Promoting pornography, as defined in RCW 9.68.140;

(x) Sexual exploitation of children, as defined in RCW 9.68A.040, 9.68A.050, and 9.68A.060;

(y) Promoting prostitution, as defined in RCW 9A.88.070 and 9A.88.080;

(z) Arson, as defined in RCW 9A.48.020 and 9A.48.030;

(aa) Assault, as defined in RCW 9A.36.011 and 9A.36.021;

(bb) Assault of a child, as defined in RCW 9A.36.120 and 9A.36.130;

(cc) A pattern of equity skimming, as defined in RCW 61.34.020;

(dd) Commercial telephone solicitation in violation of RCW 19.158.040(1);

(ee) Trafficking in insurance claims, as defined in RCW 48.30A.015;

(ff) Unlawful practice of law, as defined in RCW 2.48.180;

(gg) Commercial bribery, as defined in RCW 9A.68.060;

(hh) Health care false claims, as defined in RCW 48.80.030;

(ii) Unlicensed practice of a profession or business, as defined in RCW 18.130.190(7);

(jj) Improperly obtaining financial information, as defined in RCW 9.35.010;

(kk) Identity theft, as defined in RCW 9.35.020;

(ll) Unlawful shipment of cigarettes in violation of RCW 70.155.105(6) (a) or (b);

(mm) Unlawful shipment of cigarettes in violation of RCW 82.24.110(2);

(nn) Unauthorized sale or procurement of telephone records in violation of RCW 9.26A.140;

(oo) Theft with the intent to resell, as defined in RCW 9A.56.340;

(pp) Organized retail theft, as defined in RCW 9A.56.350;

(qq) Mortgage fraud, as defined in RCW 19.144.080;

(rr) Commercial sexual abuse of a minor, as defined in RCW 9.68A.100;

(ss) Promoting commercial sexual abuse of a minor, as defined in RCW 9.68A.101; ((or))

(tt) Trafficking, as defined in RCW 9A.40.100, promoting travel for commercial sexual abuse of a minor, as defined in RCW 9.68A.102, and permitting commercial sexual abuse of a minor, as defined in RCW 9.68A.103; or

(uu) Trafficking in catalytic converters, as defined in sections 24 and 25 of this act.

(5) "Dealer in property" means a person who buys and sells property as a business.

(6) "Debtor" means a person to whom an extension of credit is made or a person who guarantees the repayment of an extension of credit or in any manner undertakes to indemnify the creditor against loss resulting from the failure of a person to whom an extension is made to repay the same.

(7) "Documentary material" means any book, paper, document, writing, drawing, graph, chart, photograph, phonograph record, magnetic tape, computer printout, other data compilation from which information can be obtained or from which information can be translated into usable form, or other tangible item.

(8) "Enterprise" includes any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, business trust, or other profit or nonprofit legal entity, and includes any union, association, or group of individuals associated in fact although not a legal entity, and both illicit and licit enterprises and governmental and nongovernmental entities.

(9) "Extortionate extension of credit" means an extension of credit with respect to which it is the understanding of the creditor and the debtor at the time the extension is made that delay in making repayment or failure to make repayment could result in the use of violence or other criminal means to cause harm to the person, reputation, or property of any person.

(10) "Extortionate means" means the use, or an express or implicit threat of use, of violence or other criminal means to cause harm to the person, reputation, or property of any person.

(11) "Financial institution" means any bank, trust company, savings and loan association, savings bank, mutual savings bank, credit union, or loan company under the jurisdiction of the state or an agency of the United States.

(12) "Pattern of criminal profiteering activity" means engaging in at least three acts of criminal profiteering, one of which occurred after July 1, 1985, and the last of which occurred within five years, excluding any period of imprisonment, after the commission of the earliest act of criminal profiteering. In order to constitute a pattern, the three acts must have the same or similar intent, results, accomplices, principals, victims, or methods of commission, or be otherwise interrelated by distinguishing characteristics including a nexus to the same enterprise, and must not be isolated events. However, in any civil proceedings brought pursuant to RCW 9A.82.100 by any person other than the attorney general or county prosecuting attorney in which one or more acts of fraud in the purchase or sale of securities are asserted as acts of criminal profiteering activity, it is a condition to civil liability under RCW 9A.82.100 that the defendant has been convicted in a criminal proceeding of fraud in the purchase or sale of securities under RCW 21.20.400 or under the laws of another state or of the United States requiring the same elements of proof, but such conviction need not relate to any act or acts asserted as acts of criminal profiteering activity in such civil action under RCW 9A.82.100.

(13) "Real property" means any real property or interest in real property, including but not limited to a land sale contract, lease, or mortgage of real property.

(14) "Records" means any book, paper, writing, record, computer program, or other material.

(15) "Repayment of an extension of credit" means the repayment, satisfaction, or discharge in whole or in part of a debt or claim, acknowledged or disputed, valid or invalid, resulting from or in connection with that extension of credit.

(16) "Stolen property" means property that has been obtained by theft, robbery, or extortion.

(17) "To collect an extension of credit" means to induce in any way a person to make repayment thereof.

(18) "To extend credit" means to make or renew a loan or to enter into an agreement, tacit or express, whereby the repayment or satisfaction of a debt or claim, whether acknowledged or disputed, valid or invalid, and however arising, may or shall be deferred.

(19) "Traffic" means to sell, transfer, distribute, dispense, or otherwise dispose of stolen property to another person, or to buy, receive, possess, or obtain control of stolen property, with intent to sell, transfer, distribute, dispense, or otherwise dispose of the property to another person.

(20)(a) "Trustee" means:

(i) A person acting as a trustee under a trust established under Title 11 RCW in which the trustee holds legal or record title to real property;

(ii) A person who holds legal or record title to real property in which another person has a beneficial interest; or

(iii) A successor trustee to a person who is a trustee under (a)(i) or (ii) of this subsection.

(b) "Trustee" does not mean a person appointed or acting as:

(i) A personal representative under Title 11 RCW;

(ii) A trustee of any testamentary trust;

(iii) A trustee of any indenture of trust under which a bond is issued; or

(iv) A trustee under a deed of trust.

(21) "Unlawful debt" means any money or other thing of value constituting principal or interest of a debt that is legally unenforceable in the state in full or in part because the debt was incurred or contracted:

(a) In violation of any one of the following:

(i) Chapter 67.16 RCW relating to horse racing;

(ii) Chapter 9.46 RCW relating to gambling;

(b) In a gambling activity in violation of federal law; or

(c) In connection with the business of lending money or a thing of value at a rate that is at least twice the permitted rate under the applicable state or federal law relating to usury.

Sec. 27. RCW 9.94A.515 and 2023 c 196 s 3 and 2023 c 7 s 3 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 28. Section 21 of this act takes effect January 1, 2025.

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