Drafter
Clerk 03/03/2022
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to records requirements for the sale of a catalytic converter; amending Ordinance 1888, Article IV, Section 1, and K.C.C. 6.36.160 and adding a new section to K.C.C. chapter 6.36.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Findings:
A. A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device that alters the harmful substances in a vehicle's exhaust gasses, such as carbon monoxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide and hydrocarbons, into less-harmful substances like carbon dioxide and water vapor by means of chemical reactions.
B. A catalytic converter is made up of precious metals, such as palladium, rhodium and platinum, which contribute to their economic value.
C. During January 2020 through December 2021, there have been more than four hundred sixty reported catalytic converter thefts in King County and more than three thousand nine hundred statewide.
D. On January 10, 2022, the Washington state Legislature initiated the first reading of House Bill 1815, prohibiting scrap metal businesses from purchasing or receiving catalytic converters from any individual other than a commercial enterprise or registered vehicle owner, and amending RCW 19.290.020, 19.290.030 and 19.290.070. During the course of the 2022 regular session of the Washington state Legislature, the bill has been amended and is currently referred to as Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1815.
E. Until Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill 1815 or similar legislation becomes law, there is a need to prohibit junk dealers in King County from purchasing or receiving catalytic converters from any individual other than a commercial enterprise or registered vehicle owner.
NEW SECTION. SECTION 2. There is hereby added to K.C.C. chapter 6.36 a new section to read as follows:
A. For every transaction involving a catalytic converter, in addition to the records requirements in K.C.C. 6.36.080, the junk shop must comply with the following requirements to record and retain for no less than five years after the date of the transaction:
1. A copy of the seller's current driver's license or other government-issued photo identification card;
2. A copy of the signed vehicle registration for the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed and a notarized statement confirming that the seller is the legal owner of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed; and
3. A minimum of two photos, one of the top and one of the bottom.
B. A junk shop that does not properly record and retain records of catalytic converter transactions as required under this section, shall be in violation of this chapter.
SECTION 3. Ordinance 1888, Article IV, Section 1, and K.C.C. 6.36.160 are hereby amended as follows:
In addition to or as an alternative to any other penalty provided herein or by law any person who violates any provision of ((any business license ordinance)) this chapter shall be subject to a civil penalty. A violation of section 2 of this ordinance shall subject the junk shop to a civil penalty of two thousand dollars per violation, to be directly assessed by the director. For violations of any other provisions of this chapter, penalties shall be in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars per violation to be directly assessed by the director. The director, in a reasonable manner, may vary the amount of the penalty assessed to consider the appropriateness of the penalty to the size of the business of the violator; the gravity of the violation; the number of past and present violations committed and the good faith of the violator in attempting to achieve
compliance after notification of the violation. All civil penalties assessed will be enforced and collected in accordance with the procedure specified under this title.