SB134 Alabama 2022 Session

Updated Feb 22, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Donnie ChesteenSenator
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: SB134 tightens rules on buying, selling, and possessing used catalytic converters by adding new requirements for secondary metals recyclers and increasing penalties for violations.
What This Bill Does
It creates a new rule (13A-8-37.3) that makes it illegal to buy used catalytic converters unless the buyer is a registered secondary metals recycler, the sale happens at a fixed business address, and all transaction information is kept. It also imposes penalties for violations, including a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class C felony for subsequent offenses within 10 years, plus seizure of contraband. Additionally, it updates existing laws to restrict cash transactions, require certain documentation, and impose stricter rules for sellers and buyers of catalytic converters and related metals, with specific documentation requirements and penalties for false information.

Who It Affects
Secondary metals recyclers and related businesses (e.g., buyers of catalytic converters) must be registered, conduct transactions at fixed addresses, verify ownership/rights, maintain detailed records, and follow cash/operating restrictions with heightened penalties for violations.
People and businesses that sell or possess catalytic converters or other restricted metal items (e.g., vehicle owners, auto dealers, repair shops, utility companies, contractors) must provide verifiable documentation, maintain license information, and comply with new documentation and verification requirements or face criminal penalties.

Key Provisions
New Section 13A-8-37.3: prohibits purchasing used catalytic converters unless the buyer is a registered secondary metals recycler, purchases occur at the recycler's fixed business address, and the seller's transaction information is recorded.
Prohibits selling or possessing a used catalytic converter unless the seller is a registered recycler or provides detailed vehicle and seller information (name of remover, purchaser, vehicle make/model/VIN, part number, seller's ID, and title/registration), with pre-purchase verification and record-keeping requirements.
Each violation involving a catalytic converter is a separate offense; penalties include Class A misdemeanor for first offense and Class C felony for subsequent offenses within 10 years; contraband may be seized and forfeited.
Section 13A-8-31.1 amended: imposes cash transaction limits for certain metals, requires checks payable to the recorded individual, restricts purchases from under 18s, and bans night-time purchases with escalating penalties for violations.
Section 13A-8-37.1 amended: requires additional verifiable documentation for certain items (non-vehicle catalytic converters, utilities-related metals, burned copper wire, HVAC condenser coils, utility access/cover items, cemetery bronze items, marked or painted metals, and ventilation fans) with specific verification criteria (licensing, receipts, or other documentation), and sets felony penalties for violations.
Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

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