ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Forty-seventh Legislature, Second Regular Session
FINAL AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1027
chop shops; vehicle theft
Purpose
Expands the prosecution of chop shop operators and classifies the theft of an engine or transmission as a class 4 felony.
Background
According to the Arizona Automobile Theft Authority, Arizona has the third-highest vehicle theft rate in the nation. In 2004, 55,306 vehicles were reported stolen.
Chop Shops
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is the number that the manufacturer, the United States or a state department of transportation assigns to a motor vehicle for the purpose of identifying the motor vehicle or a major component part of the motor vehicle. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), the VIN must be secured with rivets to the transmission, the motor, one window, the frame, one door and the firewall.
Statute prohibits a person from owning or operating a chop shop. Conducting a chop shop is also prohibited. For example, knowingly buying, selling, transferring or possessing a motor vehicle if the VIN has been removed, destroyed, defaced or otherwise altered is a class 4 felony.
Theft
Theft is defined as controlling the property of another with the intent to deprive the person of his or her property or obtaining services for personal benefit without compensating the provider of the services. Statute does not specifically address the penalties for theft of vehicle engines and transmissions. Penalties for theft are dependent on the value of the property or services stolen. For example, theft of property or services with a value of more than $2,000 but less than $3,000 is a class 4 felony.
Any potential fiscal impact to the state General Fund is undetermined at this time, although this legislation could increase the number of people incarcerated by the Arizona Department of Corrections.
Provisions
1. Classifies the buying, selling, transferring or possession of any motor vehicle part with a removed, defaced or otherwise altered VIN number that was placed on the part by the manufacturer as a class 4 felony.
2. Classifies theft of any vehicle engine or transmission as a class 4 felony, regardless of value.
3. Expands the definition of “vehicle” to include any device that could have been used to transport a person.
4. Makes technical and conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by House of Representatives
· Specifies that a person is prohibited from possessing a motor vehicle part without a VIN number if the VIN number was placed on the part by the manufacturer.
Senate Action House Action
JUD 1/16/06 DP 8-0-0-0 JUD 3/9/06 DP 8-0-0-1
3rd Read 2/20/06 28-1-1-0 3rd Read 3/30/06 56-1-3-0
Final Read 4/4/06 27-2-1-0
Signed by the Governor 4/10/06
Chapter 73
Prepared by Senate Research
April 13, 2006
JE/DL/jas