§ 29-A §1113 — Catalytic converters

Maine § 29-A §1113

• Jurisdiction: Maine
• Title 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
• Ch. 9: DEALERS

Text

This section governs the sale, purchase, removal, transport and disposal of catalytic converters that have been removed from motor vehicles. The exemptions provided in section 1102 do not apply to the provisions of this section.
1.
Removal from a motor vehicle.
This subsection governs the removal of a catalytic converter from a motor vehicle.
2.
Damage or missing vehicle identification number upon removal.
If a person is not able to identify the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle the catalytic converter is attached to or the catalytic converter is too damaged to mark in a manner that is permanent and legible, the person may remove the catalytic converter from the motor vehicle only if the person follows the process established by the Secretary of State under subsection 14.
3.
Motor vehicle repair and maintenance.
If a person engaged in the repair or maintenance of a motor vehicle must temporarily remove the catalytic converter from the motor vehicle in order to complete the repair or maintenance, that person is not required to mark the catalytic converter in accordance with subsection 1. This subsection does not exempt a person from the marking requirements in subsection 1 if the person attaches the catalytic converter to a different motor vehicle than the motor vehicle undergoing repair or maintenance or sells, trades or transfers the catalytic converter to another person.
4.
Marking or recording in the event of final disposal or deconstruction.
If a recycler is removing a catalytic converter from a motor vehicle for the purpose of final disposal or deconstruction under subsection 8, the recycler is not required to mark the catalytic converter in accordance with subsection 1. A recycler removing a catalytic converter from a motor vehicle for the purpose of final disposal shall:
5.
Prohibition on purchase or sale.
This subsection governs the purchase and sale of a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle.
6.
Purchase or sale by recyclers.
The following provisions govern the purchase, sale or acquisition by a recycler of a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle.
7.
Records of purchases made by recyclers.
This subsection governs the record-keeping requirements for a recycler that purchases a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle.
8.
Final disposal and deconstruction.
This subsection governs the final disposal or deconstruction of a catalytic converter.
9.
Transportation.
The following provisions govern the transportation of a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle.
10.
Misrepresentation.
A person may not mark a catalytic converter with a vehicle identification number that the person has reason to know is not the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed.
11.
Unlawful possession.
A person may not knowingly possess a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle unless:
12.
Defacing of markings.
A person may not deface or remove from a catalytic converter the markings required under subsection 1 or 14 or section 952, subsection 1‑B, paragraph C.
13.
Aggravated possession or defacing of markings.
A person who violates subsection 11 or 12 and at the time of the violation has a prior conviction for violating subsection 11 or 12 that is less than 5 years old commits a Class C crime.
14.
State-issued identification number.
If a person is in possession of a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle and the person has determined that the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle from which the catalytic converter is removed cannot be identified or that the catalytic converter is too damaged to mark in a manner that is permanent and legible, the person shall, as soon as possible, submit a request for the Secretary of State to assign an identification number to the catalytic converter. A person submitting a request for the Secretary of State to assign an identification number to a catalytic converter must provide appropriate documentation of that person's ownership of the catalytic converter and any other appropriate information required by the Secretary of State by rule.
15.
Seizure and forfeiture.
Any catalytic converter possessed in violation of this section is contraband and is subject to forfeiture to the State in accordance with this subsection.

Legislative History

PL 2021, c. 660, §4 (NEW). PL 2023, c. 634, §22 (AMD).