Trucking news and briefs for Monday, Feb. 13, 2023:
Bills introduced in both chambers of Congress earlier this month would, if passed, ensure that law enforcement can more effectively address these thefts by marking each converter with a traceable identification number and establishing converter thefts as a criminal offense.
In the Senate, the legislation was introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), and in the House, the bill was introduced by Rep. Jim Baird (R-Indiana).
The Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act would require new vehicles to have a VIN number stamped onto the converter to allow law enforcement to link stolen parts to the vehicle from which they originated. It would also:
The bill has received support from the American Trucking Associations, the American Truck Dealers group and others.
[Related: Catalytic converter theft ring busted]
A leak in a California gasoline pipeline last week that supplies gasoline and diesel to facilities in southern Nevada prompted Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo to declare a state of emergency, waiving hours of service requirements for truck drivers hauling gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and other refined petroleum products.
