A proposal on Capitol Hill strongly supported by the National Automobile Dealers Association is gaining steam again.

Late on Wednesday, NADA said the Preventing Auto Recycling Thefts (PART) Act (H.R. 5221/S. 2238) was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The U.S. Senate previously reintroduced the legislation in late July.

NADA recapped this bipartisan bill provides a robust response to the surge in catalytic converter thefts affecting communities nationwide.

“Catalytic converter theft is a significant national issue for law enforcement, businesses, and vehicle owners. Federal action is needed to combat this dangerous criminal activity,” NADA president and CEO Mike Stanton said in a news release. “These thefts not only impact hardworking Americans but also put lives at risk.”

By requiring each catalytic converter to be marked with a traceable identification number, the association said the PART Act will strengthen the ability of law enforcement officials to combat these thefts.

NADA also said this measure will deter criminals from reselling these costly stolen vehicle parts in the secondary market, as they can be easily traced back to the original vehicle.

The association pointed out vehicle owners who have fallen victim to these crimes, along with law enforcement officials responding to them, have faced violent encounters with criminals determined to escape with the valuable items.

Earlier this year, NADA recounted a man in California was fatally shot while attempting to stop thieves from stealing his catalytic converter, becoming yet another victim of these senseless but preventable crimes.

The association explained this proposal is needed because catalytic converter theft has skyrocketed in recent years due to the precious metals contained in this vehicle part.

Experts said stolen catalytic converters can garner anywhere from $20 to $350 on the black market, with the replacement cost to vehicle owners averaging more than $2,500.

NADA said the significant financial burden on the vehicle owners, who are already struggling with the rising costs of vehicle maintenance and insurance, further emphasizes the urgent need for action to stop these dangerous criminal activities.

The association highlighted the bipartisan PART Act achieves the following:

—Requires manufacturers to stamp new vehicle converters with a unique identifier, a VIN or other traceable number, to allow law enforcement to trace stolen parts back to the original vehicle.

—Creates a grant program through which entities can stamp identification numbers onto catalytic converters of existing vehicles.

—Improves record-keeping standards for purchasers of used catalytic converters; and

—Establishes federal criminal penalties for catalytic converter theft to allow for stronger enforcement of these crimes.

NADA applauded Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), as well as Representatives Jim Baird (R-Ind.) and Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), for their leadership on this important legislation.

The House sponsors were joined by Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Tracey Mann (R-Kansas), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), and Brian Babin (R-Texas).