CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY SEVENTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. O-26-32 ENACTMENT NO. ___________________
SPONSORED BY: Ren?e Grout and Tammy Fiebelkorn
ORDINANCE
title
Amending The "Secondhand Catalytic Converter Purchase Ordinance;" Renaming It The "Sale Of
Recycled Metals Ordinance;" Expanding The Scope To Include Copper Or Brass Materials; Updating Reporting And Recordkeeping Requirements; And Mandating The Form Of Tender For Transactions Subject To This Ordinance (Grout and Fiebelkorn)
body
WHEREAS, a catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system of vehicles with internal combustion engines that converts pollutant gases into less toxic pollutants; and
WHEREAS, catalytic converters contain precious
metals including platinum, palladium, and rhodium; and
WHEREAS, copper and brass are widely used in vehicles, construction, and utility systems due to their conductivity and durability; and
WHEREAS, catalytic converters, copper, and brass have significant resale value and are frequently stolen; and
WHEREAS, thefts of catalytic converters, copper, and brass have increased in recent years; and
WHEREAS, thieves typically steal catalytic converters from trucks, SUVs, and other vehicles with high ground clearance, and thieves also target hybrid vehicles which have higher amounts of precious
metals in their catalytic converters; and
WHEREAS, thieves generally sell the catalytic converters to secondhand metal dealers or "scrap yards" which then sell catalytic converters to recycling facilities to reclaim the precious
metals inside; and
WHEREAS, copper and brass theft in Albuquerque is a major issue that threatens infrastructure, businesses, and residents alike, causing significant damage and severe disruptions; and
WHEREAS, the resale of stolen catalytic converters, copper, and brass result in significant financial harm to vehicle owners, property owners, and the community; and
WHEREAS, additional regulat...
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