Monroe County Legislature overrides Bello’s veto of catalytic converter bill

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Monroe County Legislature Tuesday night voted to override another veto by County Executive Adam Bello.

Lawmakers passed a bill aimed to address the problem of catalytic converter thefts from cars, a crime that has been a problem in Monroe County since early 2021.

The bill will increase fines for people caught stealing the valuable parts, and make scrap yards make the following changes:

  • Wait 14 days to give out cash for scrapped catalytic converters.
  • Get copies of a valid driver’s license or other government-issued ID from those scrapping catalytic converters.
  • Get copies of documentation proving ownership of any vehicle that has a catalytic converter scrapped, such as registration or vehicle title.
  • Keep records of scrapped catalytic converters for no less than three years sp law enforcement can follow up on investigations into stolen converters.

It would also require auto body and mechanics shops to provide documentation that any catalytic converter being scrapped is from a vehicle that was serviced by that business, such as a copy of a receipt for work done.

It passed with bipartisan support in September.

Bello vetoed the bill in October, saying he thought it would kill jobs and push the crime to other counties.

Republicans Tuesday night called the veto "bizarre and politically motivated".

Back in December of 2020, the legislature overrode Bello’s veto of two amendments to the county budget, one of which set up a $2.5 million contingency fund, the other overrode Bello’s proposed cuts to the Monroe County Board of Elections.

Then, in June of 2020, the legislature overrode Bello’s veto of a plan to create six new supervisory employees in the Board of Elections.