Replacement of Stolen Catalytic Converters

Second Regular Session Seventy-fifth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO INTRODUCED HOUSE BILL 26-1199 LLS NO. 26-0203.01 Richard Sweetman x4333 HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Mauro and Mabrey, SENATE SPONSORSHIP Ball, House Committees Senate Committees Energy & Environment A BILL FOR AN ACT CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.

Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.) When a catalytic converter mechanically fails or is stolen from a motor vehicle, current rules of the air quality control commission require the replacement to comply with the rules of the California air resources board. The bill creates a temporary exception (exception) that allows an individual to use a replacement catalytic converter that complies with the standards established by rules of the United States environmental Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.

Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law. Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.

protection agency if: ! In the case of the theft of a catalytic converter, the theft has been reported to a law enforcement agency; and ! The owner or operator of the motor vehicle has made a reasonable effort to obtain the required replacement catalytic converter and has been unable to obtain the replacement catalytic converter. The exception is repealed, effective July 1, 2028. The bill prohibits a motor vehicle repair facility or any employee or contract laborer of the facility from repairing or replacing a catalytic converter that has failed or been stolen without first informing the customer about available state programs to replace an internal combustion vehicle with a zero-emission alternative.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado: SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 42-4-318 as follows: 42-4-318.

Exception to enforcement in cases of theft or mechanical failure of a catalytic converter - unavailability of replacement catalytic converter - rules - repeal.

(1) NOTWITHSTANDING THIS PART 3, ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 25, OR ANY RULE ADOPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 25, AN INDIVIDUAL MAY OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT COMPLIES WITH THE STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY RULES OF THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IF:

(a) A CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN STOLEN FROM, OR MECHANICALLY FAILS IN, THE MOTOR VEHICLE;

(b) IN THE CASE OF A STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE HAS REPORTED THE THEFT TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY;

(c) THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE HAS MADE A REASONABLE EFFORT TO OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT COMPLIES WITH THIS PART 3, ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 25, AND ANY RULES ADOPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 25, AND THE OWNER OR OPERATOR HAS BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER; AND

(d) WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE SUBMITS THE MOTOR VEHICLE TO AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION PURSUANT TO THIS PART 3 AND THE MOTOR VEHICLE PASSES THE INSPECTION.

(2) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2026, THE AIR QUALITY CONTROL COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT RULES TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION.

(3) THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2028.

SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-9-111, amend (1)(i); and add (1)(k) as follows:

42-9-111. Prohibited acts - definitions.

(1) A motor vehicle repair facility or any employee or contract laborer of the facility shall not: (i) Fail to state the motor vehicle odometer reading, unless such THE reading is unfeasible due to the condition of the odometer; or

(k) REPAIR OR REPLACE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT HAS FAILED OR BEEN STOLEN WITHOUT FIRST INFORMING THE CUSTOMER ABOUT AVAILABLE STATE PROGRAMS TO REPLACE AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION VEHICLE WITH A ZERO-EMISSION ALTERNATIVE, SUCH AS THE VEHICLE EXCHANGE COLORADO PROGRAM MANAGED BY THE COMMUNITY ACCESS ENTERPRISE CREATED IN SECTION 24-38.5-303.

SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August 12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.