Jim Baird: “Today I rise to address an issue plaguing my constituents, my fellow Hoosiers, and Americans across the country…”

“Today I rise to address an issue plaguing my constituents, my fellow Hoosiers, and Americans across the country: catalytic converter thefts. From the outside looking in, catalytic converter theft may seem like a small problem, but law enforcement, auto dealers, and the growing number of victims of these crimes will tell you otherwise. In communities across the country, thieves are targeting families, schools, and businesses, disrupting transportation plans and leading drivers to shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repair costs. For those of you who are unfamiliar with catalytic converters, this auto part is required to reduce the potency of toxic emissions from internal combustion engines and is usually made up of precious metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium, which can be sold to scrap dealers for hundreds of dollars on the black market. The value of these materials, combined with a thief's ability to remove them from a car in a matter of seconds, makes them a prime target for criminals looking to earn cash with little risk. My bill takes a multipronged approach to tackling this epidemic and by including traceable identifying features on catalytic converters, addressing how parts are purchased, and strengthening enforceability of catalytic converter thefts.…”