Catalytic Converter Theft Task Force Act

Bill: 118-s-2061
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-06-20
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Latest action: action_date: 2023-06-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Summaries:

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2061 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 20, 2023 Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Luján , Mr. Heinrich , and Mr. Whitehouse ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To require the Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, to establish a task force to develop and implement strategies to deter, prevent, and combat the theft and trafficking of catalytic converters and other automobile parts that contain precious metals targeted by thieves.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Catalytic Converter Theft Task Force Act . 2. Task force to combat catalytic converter theft (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Covered automobile parts The term covered automobile parts means catalytic converters and other automobile parts that contain precious metals targeted by thieves. (2) State The term State means any State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any territory or possession of the United States. (b) Establishment The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation, shall establish a task force to develop and implement strategies to deter, prevent, and combat the theft and trafficking of covered automobile parts (referred to in this section as the Task Force ). (c) Membership The Task Force shall be composed of 11 members, of whom— (1) 3 shall be appointed by the Attorney General from among employees of the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice; (2) 2 shall be appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from among employees of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; and (3) 6 shall be appointed by the Attorney General from among representatives of State or local law enforcement agencies. (d) Chair; vice chair The Attorney General shall select— (1) a chair from among the members of the Task Force appointed under subsection (c)(1); and (2) a vice chair from among the members of the Task Force appointed under subsection (c)(3). (e) Duties The Task Force shall— (1) assess existing laws, regulations, and law enforcement practices and resources related to the theft and trafficking of covered automobile parts; and (2) make recommendations to Congress, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Transportation, and State and local law enforcement agencies on legislative, regulatory, and law enforcement reforms to develop and implement strategies to deter, detect, prevent, solve, and prosecute the theft and trafficking of covered automobile parts. (f) Powers (1) Task Force The Task Force may hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Task Force considers advisable. (2) Members A member of the Task Force may, with the authorization of the Task Force, take any action that the Task Force is authorized to take under this section. (g) Operating rules and procedures (1) Meetings (A) Initial meeting Not later than 30 days after the date on which a majority of members of the Task Force have been appointed, the Task Force shall hold an initial meeting. (B) Subsequent meetings After the initial meeting under subparagraph (A), the Task Force shall meet not less frequently than once every 90 days. (2) Voting Each member of the Task Force shall have 1 vote. (3) Recommendations The Task Force may make a recommendation under subsection (e)(2) only upon a majority vote. (4) Quorum A majority of the members of the Task Force shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold meetings, gather information, and review draft reports. (h) Reports (1) Initial report Not later than 90 days after the date on which a majority of the members of the Task Force have been appointed, the Task Force shall submit an initial report on its composition, activities, and planned activities to— (A) Congress; (B) the Attorney General; and (C) the Secretary of Transportation. (2) Interim report Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Task Force is established under subsection (b), the Task Force shall submit an interim report on its legislative, regulatory, and law enforcement recommendations to— (A) Congress; (B) the Attorney General; (C) the Secretary of Transportation; and (D) the attorney general of each State. (3) Periodic updates The Task Force shall provide periodic updates to Congress on its activities and planned activities. (4) Final report Not later than 18 months after the date on which the Task Force is established under subsection (b), the Task Force shall submit a final report on its legislative, regulatory, and law enforcement recommendations to— (A) Congress; (B) the Attorney General; (C) the Secretary of Transportation; and (D) the attorney general of each State. (i) Termination The Task Force shall terminate on the date that is 18 months after the date on which the Task Force is established under subsection (b).