HB117 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 26, 2026

High Interest

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Paul W. LeeRepresentative
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2022
Title: Crimes and offenses, secondary metals recyclers, requirements for purchase, possession, and sale of detached catalytic converters, Secs. 13A-8-37.3 added; Sec. 13A-8-31.1, 13A-8-37.1 am'd.
Summary: HB117 tightens how used catalytic converters and other metal parts can be bought, sold, or possessed through recyclers, with new verification, record-keeping, and penalties.
What This Bill Does
It creates new purchase rules for used, detached catalytic converters, requiring buyers to be registered secondary metals recyclers, purchases to occur at the recycler's fixed business address, and verification of ownership with maintained records. It imposes strict record-keeping and verification for each transaction, and treats each violation as a separate offense with escalating penalties. It also tightens cash-purchase limits, age and time restrictions, and adds detailed documentation requirements for various metal items; it specifies certain items as contraband and sets an effective date for the new rules (while noting local-fund expenditure exceptions).

Who It Affects
Secondary metals recyclers, who must be registered, follow the new purchase, verification, and record-keeping requirements and face penalties for violations.
Sellers and owners of catalytic converters and other listed metal items, who must provide verifiable documentation and correct information to lawfully sell or transfer their property.
Buyers of metal property (including recyclers) who must verify ownership, maintain records, and comply with new documentation rules to avoid penalties.

Key Provisions
New Section 13A-8-37.3: unlawful to purchase a used, detached catalytic converter unless (1) the buyer is a registered secondary metals recycler, (2) the sale occurs at the recycler's fixed business address, (3) the buyer maintains required transaction information.
Section 13A-8-37.3: requires verification of legal transfer and retention of records; notes identifiable markings on converters; each violation is a separate offense; penalties include Class A misdemeanor for first violation and Class C felony for second or subsequent within 10 years; contraband seizure provision.
Section 2: prohibits providing false or fraudulent information; violations carry Class A misdemeanor, with Class C felony for subsequent offenses within 10 years.
Sections 13A-8-31.1 and 13A-8-37.1 (amended): cash transactions limited to $50 for certain items (copper, copper/aluminum AC coils, catalytic converters) and $500 for all other metals; payments by check must be to the person recorded; prohibits purchases from persons under 18; restricts purchases between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM; penalties escalate from Class B misdemeanor to Class A felony to Class C felony for repeated offenses within 10 years.
13A-8-37.1: adds specific documentation requirements for several items (e.g., catalytic converters not part of a vehicle, copper wires, condenser coils, utility covers, grave markers, and other listed items) and sets conditions under which these items may be sold to recyclers.
Section 5: effective date is the first day of the third month after governor approval.
Section 4: bill includes local-fund expenditure language exclusion under Amendment 621 but notes the bill creates a new crime or changes an existing crime.

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