SENATOR SEAN RYAN AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER MONICA WALLACE PUSH FOR LEGISLATION TO REDUCE COPPER AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT IN NEW YORK STATE

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Today, October 18, 2024, New York State Senator Sean Ryan and New York State

Assemblymember Monica Wallace joined with local law enforcement and regional scrap metal

recycling facility leaders a press conference at Niagara Metals in Cheektowaga, New York to push for legislation aimed at reducing the alarming rise in copper and catalytic converter theft in New York State. This bill, in collaboration with efforts from law enforcement and local scrap metal businesses, will help stabilize the metal recycling market. The legislation is sponsored in the Senate by Senator

Ryan and in the Assembly by Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon (S.8769/A.9056).

The bill would require catalytic converters to be marked with a serial number for quick identification.

It also would establish stricter standards for scrap metal recycling facilities in New York State, and

create penalties for those who fail to comply with the regulations. This legislation is supported by law enforcement officials and ReMa, the Recycled Materials Association.

The price of copper reached an all time high in 2024. The US Dept. of Energy reports $1 billion in

annual losses due to copper theft. And catalytic converter theft has seen a disastrous rise of 900% since

2019.

Senator Sean Ryan said, “Theft of copper, particularly in the form of catalytic converters, is at an all time high. It takes a thief just minutes to steal a component that could cost the victim thousands to replace. With this new legislation, we hope to greatly discourage such thefts and catch those responsible for these incidents.”

Assemblymember Monica Wallace said, "In the face of a nationwide wave of catalytic converter

theft, it's imperative that we enact control measures to stop the illegal resale of these devices and bring offenders to justice. I support Sen. Ryan's legislation to set statewide standards for scrap metal recycling facilities to record information about resellers in order to deter theft and help law

enforcement hold offenders accountable."

Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubush, President of the NYS Association of Chiefs of Police said,

“Working together we can make a difference. The partnership that the NYS Association of Chiefs of Police, and its members, have with ReMa is a great example of how collaboration can work to keep our communities safe.”

Lawrence Schillinger, ReMa Compliance Counsel, said: “The recycling industry’s online theft alert

system coordinates local law enforcement agencies with recyclers to identify and apprehend thieves who steal catalytic converters, copper and other metals. To date, $3.5 Million in stolen metal has been recovered using the ReMa ‘ScrapTheftAlert’ system”