HB26-1199 • 2026

Replacement of Stolen Catalytic Converters

When a catalytic converter mechanically fails or is stolen from a motor vehicle, current rules of the air quality control commission require the replacement to comply with the rules of the California

Budget Energy Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Rep. J. Mabrey, Rep. T. Mauro, Sen. M. Ball
Last action: 2026-05-14
Official status: House Committee on Appropriations Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary notes it applies 'as introduced,' but metadata indicates amendments failed and the bill passed; however, no specific text changes were provided in the source material to verify if the final law differs from this version.

Temporary Rules for Replacing Stolen or Broken Catalytic Converters

This bill creates a temporary exception allowing drivers to use federal-standard catalytic converters if they cannot find California-compliant ones after theft or failure, and requires repair shops to inform customers about zero-emission vehicle programs.

What This Bill Does

Allows individuals to install replacement catalytic converters that meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards instead of stricter California rules under specific conditions.
Requires the owner to report a stolen converter to law enforcement before using this exception for theft cases.
Mandates that owners must try and fail to find a required California-compliant converter before switching to federal-standard parts.
Requires vehicles with new converters to pass an emissions inspection within 30 days of installation.
Prohibits repair facilities, employees, or contractors from fixing these parts without first telling customers about state programs for swapping gas cars for zero-emission alternatives.

Who It Names or Affects

Owners and operators of motor vehicles with stolen or mechanically failed catalytic converters
Motor vehicle repair facilities and their workers in Colorado

Terms To Know

Catalytic converter: A part inside a car that reduces harmful gases from the engine before they leave the tailpipe.
Zero-emission alternative: Vehicles, such as electric cars, that do not release exhaust pollution while driving.

Limits and Unknowns

The exception ends on July 1, 2028.
This rule only applies if the owner cannot find a replacement converter that meets current state rules after making a reasonable effort.
The bill takes effect in August 2026 unless voters approve it at an election or reject it via referendum.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

L.001

HOU Energy & Environment

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment requires the Department of Public Health and Environment to carry out new rules for replacing stolen or broken catalytic converters using only money already available in their budget.

The bill now says the state health department must follow these replacement rules without needing extra funding from lawmakers.

Bill History

2026-05-14 House
House Committee on Appropriations Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed
2026-03-11 House
House Committee on Energy & Environment Refer Amended to Appropriations
2026-02-11 House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Energy & Environment

Official Summary Text

When a catalytic converter mechanically fails or is stolen from a motor vehicle, current rules of the air quality control commission require the replacement to comply with the rules of the California air resources board. The bill creates a temporary exception (exception) that allows an individual to use a replacement catalytic converter that complies with the standards established by rules of the United States environmental protection agency if:
In the case of the theft of a catalytic converter, the theft has been reported to a law enforcement agency; and
The owner or operator of the motor vehicle has made a reasonable effort to obtain the required replacement catalytic converter and has been unable to obtain the replacement catalytic converter.
The exception is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.
The bill prohibits a motor vehicle repair facility or any employee or contract laborer of the facility from repairing or replacing a catalytic converter that has failed or been stolen without first informing the customer about available state programs to replace an internal combustion vehicle with a zero-emission alternative.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED

LLS NO. 26-0203.01 Richard Sweetman x4333 HOUSE BILL 26-1199
House Committees Senate Committees
Energy & Environment
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE REPLACEMENT OF CERTAIN CATALYTIC101
CONVERTERS.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
When a catalytic converter mechanically fails or is stolen from a
motor vehicle, current rules of the air quality control commission require
the replacement to comply with the rules of the California air resources
board. The bill creates a temporary exception (exception) that allows an
individual to use a replacement catalytic converter that complies with the
standards established by rules of the United States environmental
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Mauro and Mabrey,
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Ball,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
protection agency if:
! In the case of the theft of a catalytic converter, the theft has
been reported to a law enforcement agency; and
! The owner or operator of the motor vehicle has made a
reasonable effort to obtain the required replacement
catalytic converter and has been unable to obtain the
replacement catalytic converter.
The exception is repealed, effective July 1, 2028.
The bill prohibits a motor vehicle repair facility or any employee
or contract laborer of the facility from repairing or replacing a catalytic
converter that has failed or been stolen without first informing the
customer about available state programs to replace an internal combustion
vehicle with a zero-emission alternative.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 42-4-318 as2
follows:3
42-4-318. Ex ception to enforcement in cases of theft or4
mechanical failure of a catalytic converter - unavailability of5
replacement catalytic converter - rules - repeal.6
(1) NOTWITHSTANDING THIS PART 3, ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 25, OR7
ANY RULE ADOPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 25, AN8
INDIVIDUAL MAY OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A CATALYTIC9
CONVERTER THAT COMPLIES WITH THE STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY10
RULES OF THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR11
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IF:12
(a) A CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAS BEEN STOLEN FROM , OR13
MECHANICALLY FAILS IN, THE MOTOR VEHICLE;14
(b) IN THE CASE OF A STOLEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THE OWNER15
OR OPERATOR OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE HAS REPORTED THE THEFT TO A16
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY;17
(c) THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE MOTOR VEHICLE HAS MADE18
HB26-1199-2-
A REASONABLE EFFORT TO OBTAIN A REPLACEMENT CATALYTIC1
CONVERTER THAT COMPLIES WITH THIS PART 3, ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 25,2
AND ANY RULES ADOPTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 25,3
AND THE OWNER OR OPERATOR HAS BEEN UNABLE TO OBTAIN THE4
CATALYTIC CONVERTER; AND5
(d) W ITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE INSTALLATION OF THE6
CATALYTIC CONVERTER , THE OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE MOTOR7
VEHICLE SUBMITS THE MOTOR VEHICLE TO AN EMISSIONS INSPECTION8
PURSUANT TO THIS PART 3 AND THE MOTOR VEHICLE PASSES THE9
INSPECTION.10
(2) ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2026, THE AIR QUALITY CONTROL11
COMMISSION SHALL ADOPT RULES TO IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION.12
(3) THIS SECTION IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2028.13
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 42-9-111, amend14
(1)(i); and add (1)(k) as follows:15
42-9-111. Prohibited acts - definitions.16
(1) A motor vehicle repair facility or any employee or contract17
laborer of the facility shall not:18
(i) Fail to state the motor vehicle odometer reading, unless such19
THE reading is unfeasible due to the condition of the odometer; or20
(k) R EPAIR OR REPLACE A CATALYTIC CONVERTER THAT HAS21
FAILED OR BEEN STOLEN WITHOUT FIRST INFORMING THE CUSTOMER22
ABOUT AVAILABLE STATE PROGRAMS TO REPLACE AN INTERNAL23
COMBUSTION VEHICLE WITH A ZERO-EMISSION ALTERNATIVE, SUCH AS THE24
VEHICLE EXCHANGE COLORADO PROGRAM MANAGED BY THE COMMUNITY25
ACCESS ENTERPRISE CREATED IN SECTION 24-38.5-303.26
SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act27
HB26-1199-3-
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the1
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August2
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a3
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the4
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act5
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect6
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in7
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the8
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.9
HB26-1199-4-