St. Paul, MN – Today, Senator John Marty (DFL-Roseville) made a motion to bring a bill to address escalating theft of catalytic converters – an urgent problem across Minnesota, to the Senate floor for debate. Instead of giving the legislature the chance to debate and pass this bill, Senate Republicans blocked the motion. In response, Senator Marty released the following statement:
“For the past three years, I have urged my Republican colleagues to give SF 2491 a hearing so that Minnesotans can get relief from the growing problem of converter theft – but to no avail. It is inexcusable that, after refusing to give this bill a hearing for three straight years, Senate Republicans would once again block consideration of this important legislation that addresses this growing public safety concern. A recent news headline read, ‘Catalytic Converter Thefts Soaring in Twin Cities Suburbs,’ and statewide, Minnesota has some of the highest rates of converter theft in the country. The article said that in a couple dozen suburbs, there were 300 reported cases in 2019, but last year that number surged to 2,300.
I have asked for hearings multiple times over the past three years, but Senate Republicans have given no reason, no explanation, no excuses – nothing. Every day, more converters are stolen in Minnesota, yet Republicans block all consideration of this public safety legislation. Law enforcement, auto theft investigators, and the insurance industry support my bill.
Minnesotans deserve action now. Replacing a stolen converter costs victims thousands of dollars and significant hardship. When we have a proposal that would make a real difference, the Senate Majority should have responded three years ago. Failure to address it again this year means thousands of additional Minnesota families, businesses, and non-profits will be vulnerable to this costly crime.”
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