A Washington state senator hopes his state follows Oregon’s lead in protecting residents’ motor vehicles.

Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, introduced Senate Bill 5495, which prohibits scrap dealers from purchasing catalytic converters except from commercial enterprises and vehicle owners, a senate press release states.

“Scrap dealers who knowingly purchase or receive stolen catalytic converters would face misdemeanor charges,” the release states.

Wilson’s bill, introduced for consideration in the 2022 legislative session, also requires scrap metal dealers to confirm ownership when catalytic converters are resold and maintain records of vehicle identification numbers, the release states. Cash payments could not be made on the spot and would have to be delayed at least five days.

“Catalytic converter theft has become the crime of the day,” Wilson said in the release. “We see reports on every police blotter in every corner of the state. And the crime has exploded in just the last year.”

Similar laws are being passed in other states as catalytic converter thefts sweep the country, the release states. Wilson said he modeled his legislation after a similar law in Oregon, which takes effect next month.

“We live in an age in which some say we should look the other way at petty crime, because thieves are needy,” Wilson said in the release. “But let me tell you, it’s not going to seem petty when you start your car and you hear a blast from the tailpipe.”

Replacing a catalytic converter is expensive, Wilson said.

“Even when it is covered by insurance, sometimes it can take weeks to get a replacement,” he said in the release. “This isn’t a nuisance crime. It’s an epidemic.”