HAND OUTS
CITY COUNCIL
MEETING
MARCH 19, 2024
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Assembly Bill No. 641
CHAPTER 537
An act to amend Sections 220, 221, and 11500 of the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.
[ Apprlwed by Gover nor October 6. 2023. Filed with Secretary of Stace October 8, 2023.)
LEGlSLATIVE COUNSEL'S DlGEST
AB 641, Vince Fong. Automobile �smantlers: catalytic conve11ers.
Existing law defines an "automobile dismantler" as a person who is engaged in the bus-iness of buying, selling, or dealing in vehicles that are required to be registered under the Vehicle Code, for the purpose of dismantling the vehicles, who buys or sells the integral parts and component materials of those vehicles, or deals in used motor vehicle parts, as specified.
The definition of "automobile dismantler" also includes a person who keeps or maintains on prope1ty owned by the person, or under their possession or control, 2 or more unregistered motor vehicles no longer intended for, or in condition for, legal use on the highways, as specified. Existing law makes it a crime for a person to act as an automobile dismantler without having an es1ablished place of business, meeting specified requirements, and having a current, valid license or temporary permit issued by the Depa1tment of Motor Vehicles.
This bill would revise the definition of an automobile dismantler to include a person who keeps or maintains on property owned by the person, or under their possession or control, for any of the above-described purposes 9 or more used catalytic converters that have been cut from a motor vehicle using a sharp implement. The bill would make a first violation of acting as an automobile dismantler due to possessing 9 or more catalytic converters as described above punishable as an infraction, and subsequent violations punishable as a misdemeanor, as specified. By expanding the definition of an automobile dismantler, the bilJ would expand the scope of an existing crime. thereby imposing a state-mandated local program. The bill would exclude from the revised definition of an automobile dismantler a junk dealer, recycler, commercial enterprise, or core recycler, as specified, that has 9 or more of these used catalytic converters.
Existing law excludes from the definition of an "automobile dismantler" the owner or operator of any premises on which 2 or more unregi.stered and inoperable vehicles are held or stored., if the vehicles are used for restoration or replacement parts or otherwise, in conjunction with specified businesses, including the operation and maintenance of any fleet of motor vehicles used for the transportation of persons or property.
94 CITY COUNCIL MEETING - MARCH 19, 2024 - HAND-OUT BY DARYL TERRELL MATTERS NOT ON THE AGENDA - ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 641 - CATALYTIC CONVERTERS