HB644 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Paul W. LeeRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Crimes and offenses, catalytic converters, requirements for purchase or sale, provided, Secs. 13A-8-37.3 added; Sec. 13A-8-31.1, 13A-8-37.1 am'd.

Summary

HB644 tightens rules around buying, selling, and handling catalytic converters and certain metals, adding stricter requirements for recyclers and new penalties for violations.

What This Bill Does

It creates a new rule (13A-8-37.3) that makes it unlawful to buy or transfer a used detached catalytic converter unless the buyer is a registered secondary metals recycler at a fixed business address, and the transaction follows strict record-keeping and verification requirements; it also adds that each converter bought in violation is a separate offense. The bill amends existing rules to cap cash payments for metal purchases, requires proper documentation, and limits who can sell to recyclers (including a ban on purchases from anyone under 18 and restrictions on when purchases can occur). It also adds specific documentation rules for several other metal items (like non-vehicle catalytic converters, utility metals, copper wiring, condenser coils, and cemetery-related metals) and sets corresponding penalties for violations. The act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• Secondary metals recyclers and their employees: must be registered, use a fixed business address, verify sellers’ ownership and transfer rights, keep detailed records, and face criminal penalties for violations.
• Sellers and buyers of catalytic converters and other restricted metal property: must provide verifiable documentation, avoid false information, and comply with strict purchase and record-keeping rules; violations can result in misdemeanor or felony charges depending on frequency.

Key Provisions

• Adds §13A-8-37.3 requiring used, detached catalytic converters to be purchased, possessed, or acquired only if the buyer is a registered secondary metals recycler, purchases at the recycler's fixed business address, maintains required transaction information, verifies source, retains verification records, notes identifying markings, and treats each converter as a separate violation; first violation is a Class A misdemeanor and second or later violations within 10 years are Class C felonies; EPA-labeled converters for reuse are exempt.
• Amends §13A-8-31.1 to cap cash transactions (>$50 for copper, copper/aluminum AC coils, or catalytic converters; >$500 for all other metals), require checks to be payable to the person recorded, prohibit purchases from those under 18, and restrict purchases between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM; violations carry escalating penalties (Class B misdemeanor first, Class A second, Class C felony third within 10 years).
• Amends §13A-8-37.1 to require additional verifiable documentation before purchasing certain items (non-vehicle catalytic converters, certain utility metals, burned copper wire, condenser coils with licensing or proof of replacement, utility access or manhole covers, cemetery metals, etc.), and to prohibit purchases of items with bright markings; violations apply penalties as described.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses