Businesses would check used converter ownership under law effective October 6

Covered buyers would check ownership, keep transaction records, and pay by check or another traceable method rather than cash. The rules cover scrap dealers and other businesses receiving used converters, except licensed vehicle dealers. Converter-specific transaction rules do not cover sales or donations of whole vehicles with converters attached. Vehicle owners could show title, registration, or a repair receipt identifying the vehicle and converter replacement. Repair businesses selling removed converters would need their registration or license information and a matching repair receipt. Buyers could accept the state's signed ownership statement from an individual who cannot provide those documents. Knowingly making a false statement would be an offense. Exemptions include unpaid donations, ordinary household metal recycling, qualifying nonprofit fundraising sales, and qualifying sales from governments or businesses that generate scrap for recycling. Other exemptions include sales from businesses producing bulk scrap and converter sales between scrap dealers and licensed vehicle dealers. Scrap dealers would need evidence supporting an exemption. The law takes effect October 6, 2026. The public safety director must publish the ownership statement form within 90 days after the amendment takes effect.

Converter theft and receiving stolen converters would carry fifth-degree felony penalties, meaning serious criminal charges. Business offenders would face fines up to $7,500 per violation. The provisions cover people and businesses. The definition of converter also includes converter cores and diesel exhaust filters and catalysts. Theft requires knowingly taking or controlling property to deprive its owner of it without permission, beyond permission, or through deception, threats, or intimidation. Receiving stolen property requires knowing or having reasonable cause to believe it was stolen. Property explicitly presented as stolen also falls under the stated rule. Businesses would also face fines up to $7,500 per violation for specified converter transaction duties, including recordkeeping and reporting. These provisions take effect October 6, 2026.

Licensing agencies would deny or refuse to renew required business permissions after specified convictions or guilty pleas. Licensed vehicle salvage dealers could not buy or accept converters. The licensing restrictions cover scrap dealers, bulk merchandise container dealers, vehicle salvage businesses, and registered vehicle repair businesses. The purchase prohibition covers licensed vehicle salvage dealers. Scrap and bulk-container dealer registrations would be denied or not renewed after converter theft, receipt of stolen converters, or violations of section 4737.041's transaction rules. Revoking an existing registration would be optional. For salvage and repair businesses, the covered offenses are converter theft, receipt of stolen converters, and reckless failure to follow the used-converter duties for businesses other than scrap dealers or licensed vehicle dealers. Salvage and repair licensing boards would have to revoke existing permissions after those covered convictions or guilty pleas. The provisions take effect October 6, 2026. The licensing consequences depend on a covered conviction or guilty plea.

Ohio's public safety director could investigate covered businesses, require testimony and records, and suspend or revoke business licenses or registrations for violations. Investigations could cover scrap dealers, bulk-container dealers, other covered businesses receiving used converters, and their workers or representatives. Activities requiring registration would have to stop after suspension or revocation. The director could search premises only after consulting local law enforcement, during regular work hours or from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A suspended license or registration would have to be restored when the business shows it fixed the violation. A later violation found in another investigation could lead to revocation. Unregistered scrap or bulk-container dealing would require a court action to stop the violation and a $10,000 civil penalty. Each consecutive day after the first would carry a $1,000 penalty. The provisions take effect October 6, 2026. After suspension or revocation, the director must investigate whether the business continues activities requiring registration.