THE SOLUTION RATE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT HAS DROPPED FROM 24.3 PERCENT IN 1967 TO 14.1 PERCENT IN 1976 DESPITE IMPROVED TECHNOLOGICAL METHODS FOR LOCATING STOLEN PROPERTY. SINCE MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT OFTEN INVOLVES MORE THAN ONE STATE AND STOLEN CARS ARE SOMETIMES EXPORTED OUT OF THE COUNTRY, THE COMMITTEE HAS ESTABLISHED RECOMMENDATIONS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM ON A NATIONAL BASIS. THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING LEGISLATION WHICH WILL UPGRADE THE LOCK SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR AUTOMOBILES, BUT REASONABLE DEVICES NEED TO BE INSTALLED IN CARS WHICH WOULD REQUIRE HIGHLY VISIBLE EFFORTS BY THE THIEF FOR A PERIOD OF TEN MINUTES IN ORDER TO MOBILIZE THE VEHICLE. THE COMMITTEE ENCOURAGES ADOPTION AND USE OF A UNIFORM VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) SYSTEM ON A WORLDWIDE BASIS, AND IT RECOMMENDS THAT THE VIN PLATE BE LEFT INTACT ON A SALVAGED AUTOMOBILE SO THAT SALVAGED VIN PLATES CAN NOT BE EXCHANGED FOR THE PLATES ON A STOLEN VEHICLE. THE MAJOR PARTS OF VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS ALSO SO THAT STOLEN PARTS CAN BE IDENTIFIED. THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS PROPOSING LEGISLATION WHICH WOULD REQUIRE EXPORTERS OF USED MOTOR VEHICLES TO SHOW THE VEHICLES VIN NUMBERS ON THE SHIPPERS EXPORT DECLARATION. THIS DECLARATION WOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE PORT CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT AT LEAST 48 HOURS BEFORE EXPORTATION, AND THE CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT WOULD REPORT THESE VIN'S TO THE NATIONAL AUTOMOBILE THEFT BUREAU. THE COMMITTEE SPONSORS LOCAL ANTITHEFT CAMPAIGNS, AND IT HAS PROPOSED CHANGES FOR THE UNIFORM VEHICLE CODE REGARDING RETITLING PROCEDURES FOR USED VEHICLES, SALVAGE TITLE PROCEDURES, AND STATE LICENSING PROCEDURES FOR SALVAGE DEALERS. (DAG)