Indiana’s RV association (Indiana Manufactured Housing Association – RV Indiana Council) has been successful in passing a second piece of legislation to protect Indiana’s RV manufacturers and RV dealers.
Indiana’s RV industry is abuzz about significant numbers of catalytic converter thefts from RV manufacturer holding lots and RV dealerships. IMHA-RVIC identified catalytic converter theft as a growing concern in 2021 and responded with legislation in the 2021 Indiana General Assembly. Executive Director Ron Breymier worked with State Senators Jack Sandlin and Blake Doriot to secure passage of “SB 167, the THEFT AND SALE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND VALUABLE METALS ACT.”
Senate Enrolled Act 167 makes theft of a component part of a motor vehicle, including a catalytic converter, a Level 6 felony. The Level 6 felony carries a penalty upon conviction of a fixed term between six months and 2 ½ years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. SEA 167 became law effective July 1.
“Despite the passage of the 2021 law that led to the arrest of some major catalytic converter theft rings in Indiana, theft continued to be a problem for the RV industry and consumers throughout the state. More restrictions needed to be placed on the sale of catalytic converters to automotive salvage recyclers,” said Breymier. “IMHA- RVIC worked closely with State Senators Mike Crider, Blake Doriot and State Representative Jim Presell and the office of Indiana Secretary of State Holli Sullivan in the 2022 General Assembly to pass SB 293, a bill that limits the cash sale of detached catalytic converters valued less than $25 per seller to one per day.”
“Having previously passed the State Senate 47-0, we are pleased to report that SB 293 passed the Indiana House of Representatives today by an 88-3 vote and will become law effective July 1, 2022”, stated Breymier.
SB 293 requires automotive salvage recyclers to keep all records maintained and readily accessible and available to copy by an investigating or auditing employee of the Secretary of State upon demand at the established place of business. An automotive salvage recycler licensed under this article that knowingly or intentionally fails to maintain the records required by this section commits a Class A infraction.