COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri House of Representatives Committee on Emerging Issues approved a bill Wednesday that aims to deter catalytic converter thieves by ruining their market.
The committee chose to combine several similar or related bills to House Bill 1721, including one introduced by Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia). The bill will now be put on the House calendar for debate by the full legislative body.
Catalytic converters are the part of the car that filters out emissions and helps a car run smoothly. But inside, there are precious metals such as platinum and rhodium that thieves are after. These can be sold for a pretty penny.
“Depending on the vehicle the price of that also varies from car to car. I mean, if we can get a universal put on it, between $300 or $400. It only goes up from there,” said A to Z Auto mechanic Leroy Moore.
Catalytic converter theft has risen 900% nationwide since 2019, according to Bumper . However, it has declined in the past year. The Kansas City International Airport was one of the top 10 airports targeted by thieves in 2023, according to Bumper.