The newly approved measure is expected to strengthen laws prohibiting the illegal possession of catalytic converters, marked or unmarked, and will enact stricter fines.

As part of the settlement, Ulta Beauty will be required to pay $752,000 in fines and implement a compliance program to ensure its stores properly dispose of hazardous materials in the future.

Updated in December 2020, the City of San José now has some of the steepest fines for illegal fireworks use: $1,000 for the first violation, $2,000 for a second violation within 18 months, and $3,000 for a third violation.

The new ordinance “is critical to deal with the significant volume of complaints,” County Counsel James Williams told the Board of Supervisors.