The bill creates a new criminal offense in chapter 9A.56 RCW that prohibits knowingly owning, operating, or conducting a "chop shop," or knowingly aiding and abetting someone who does so. "Chop shop" is defined as a place where stolen motor vehicles or parts are received, concealed, disassembled, altered, or stored to disguise or remove identity and then distributed, sold, repurposed, or disposed of; "motor vehicle" explicitly includes watercraft and "major component part" is referenced to RCW 46.80.010. The bill establishes penalties: a first violation is a class B felony and a second or subsequent violation is a class A felony, with sentencing to be applied under chapter 9A.20 RCW. It requires convicted persons to make restitution to the lawful vehicle owner or the owner's insurer (if already compensated) for theft losses, environmental cleanup costs arising from the illegal activity, and other related costs authorized by RCW 9.94A.750; restitution is in addition to imprisonment or other penalties. The bill reenacts and amends RCW 9.94A.515 to add an entry for the "Operation of a Motor Vehicle Chop Shop (second or subsequent offense)" in the criminal seriousness-level table. The bill authorizes seizure and forfeiture of specified items under RCW 10.105.010, including stolen vehicles or parts found at a chop shop, tools or equipment used to alter or conceal vehicle identity, vehicles used to transport stolen vehicles or parts, and other property used in furtherance of the offense. It includes exemptions tied to licensing for vehicle wreckers under chapter 46.80 RCW and hulk haulers or scrap processors under chapter 46.79 RCW and references law enforcement's role in proving patterns of conduct; law enforcement, courts, and vehicle owners/insurers are among the affected parties. Procedural facts in the excerpt: the bill was prefiled 12/17/24, read for the first time 01/13/25, and referred to the Committee on Community Safety. The excerpt adds a new section (appearing as Sec. 2) and cites multiple RCWs for penalties, restitution, forfeiture, and definitions. The full amended seriousness-level table, the complete text of subsection (8) (an exception referenced), the bill's effective date, any emergency clause, and other sections possibly in the second chunk are not included in the provided facts.

If enacted, operating a motor vehicle "chop shop" would become a felony with heavy consequences: a first conviction would be a class B felony and repeat offenses a class A felony, and judges would be required to order convicted operators to repay vehicle owners or insurers for theft losses, plus environmental cleanup and related costs. Law enforcement would have clearer authority to seize and forfeit stolen vehicles, parts, tools used to alter vehicle identity, and vehicles used to move stolen goods, which could increase seizures and criminal prosecutions and shift more recovery of losses to restitution ordered by courts. The people most affected are suspected chop shop operators (facing greater criminal and financial risk), vehicle owners and insurers (more likely to receive ordered restitution), licensed vehicle wreckers, hulk haulers, and scrap processors (who get specific exemptions but must stay compliant to avoid prosecution), and law enforcement and courts (facing more investigative, seizure, and prosecution work and associated costs). Key details needed to predict timing and exact sentencing impacts—such as the bill’s effective date and the complete placement in the sentencing seriousness table—are not included in the provided facts.