Requirements for new motor vehicles relating to catalytic converters

(a) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall— (1) revise the motor vehicle theft prevention standard in section 541.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to include catalytic converters among the parts specified in subsection (a) of such section; and (2) update such regulations as are necessary to ensure that the requirements added by paragraph (1) apply to any vehicle covered by part 565 of such title. (b) Applicability Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 331 of title 49, United States Code, in the case of a vehicle described in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) that has not been sold to the first purchaser (as defined in section 33101 of such title), the requirements added by paragraph (1) of such subsection shall apply to the vehicle beginning on the date that is 6 months after the Secretary makes the revision and updates required by such subsection, regardless of the model year of the vehicle or the date on which the vehicle is manufactured. (c) Compliance The identifying number affixed or inscribed required for catalytic converters under the revision described in subsection (a)(1) may include a unique part identification number that is included in a database that— (1) is accessible by law enforcement; and (2) allows for the retrieval of the full vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle in which the catalytic converter was originally installed based on that part identification number. (d) Amendments To add definition of catalytic converter Section 33101 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking In this chapter— and inserting In this chapter:; (2) in each of paragraphs (1) through (11)— (A) by inserting The Term after the enumerator; and (B) by adding a paragraph heading the text of which comprises the term defined in the paragraph; (3) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (11) as paragraphs (2) through (12), respectively; and (4) by inserting before paragraph (2) (as so redesignated) the following: (1) Catalytic converter The term catalytic converter means any of the following: (A) Any device installed in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine that utilizes catalytic action to oxidize hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to carbon dioxide (CO 2) and water (H 2 O). (B) A diesel oxidation catalyst. (C) A diesel particulate filter.. (e) Marking of catalytic converters notwithstanding an exemption Section 33106 of title 49, United States Code, is amended— (1) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (2), by striking; and and inserting a semicolon; (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and (C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following: (3) a certification that the catalytic converter will be marked in accordance with sections 33101 through 33104, including any associated regulation; and; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (f) Requirements for marking catalytic converters (1) In general The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall promulgate regulations that require a catalytic converter on a vehicle line to be marked conspicuously in accordance with sections 33101 through 33104, including any associated regulation. (2) Unique part identification numbers In promulgating regulations under paragraph (1), the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shall allow for a marking described in that paragraph to include a unique part identification number (as defined in section 33111(b)(3)) that is included in a database that is accessible by law enforcement and that allows for the retrieval of the full vehicle identification number..