summary
Introduced
02/14/2019
02/14/2019
In Committee
03/21/2019
03/21/2019
Crossed Over
03/07/2019
03/07/2019
Passed
04/12/2019
04/12/2019
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/07/2019
05/07/2019
Introduced Session
2019-2020 Regular Session
Bill Summary
To amend Chapter 10 of Title 15 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to magistrate courts, so as to provide for jurisdiction of such courts; to amend Chapter 3 and Chapter 11 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to certificates of title, security interests, and liens and abandoned motor vehicles, respectively, so as to provide for issuance of a salvage certificate of title under certain conditions; to provide for assertion and foreclosure of a mechanic's lien upon a motor vehicle; to repeal and revise various Code sections of Article 1 of Chapter 11, relating to abandoned and derelict vehicles, and to enact a new Article 1A; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative intent; to provide for definitions; to provide for unattended motor vehicle checks by peace officers; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations for the removal of unattended motor vehicles from public or private property; to prohibit the removal of vehicles left in private lots in certain instances; to provide for conditions for the removal of items from a motor vehicle stored without the consent of the owner; to provide for notice of certain information relating to a motor vehicle removed and stored without the consent of the owner; to provide for the creation of a lien upon a motor vehicle removed and stored without the consent of an owner; to provide for recoverable fees; to provide for procedures, conditions, and limitations for the foreclosure of such lien; to provide for a public sale process; to provide for submission of proceeds from such public sale to the Department of Revenue to be treated as unclaimed property; to provide for a process for obtaining a new motor vehicle title for a motor vehicle purchased at a public sale; to provide for a form to disclaim ownership of a motor vehicle; to amend Article 5 of Chapter 12 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to disposition of unclaimed property, so as to provide for proceeds from the sale of an abandoned motor vehicle after satisfaction of a lien to be deposited with the commissioner of revenue; to provide for publication of "Georgia Unclaimed Property List"; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, the "Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act," aims to provide a comprehensive and streamlined process for businesses removing abandoned or unclaimed motor vehicles from public and private property. The key provisions of the bill include:
1. Authorizing peace officers to conduct unattended vehicle checks and remove vehicles left unattended for more than five days or posing an immediate threat to public safety.
2. Requiring towing and storage firms, repair facilities, and salvage dealers to notify vehicle owners of the vehicle's location and associated fees, and providing a process for them to foreclose on a lien for unpaid fees.
3. Prohibiting the removal of vehicles from paid private parking lots between midnight and 9 AM, except for charging a penalty fee.
4. Allowing owners to retrieve personal property from stored vehicles for up to 30 days.
5. Establishing a process for the sale of abandoned vehicles at public auction, with the proceeds being submitted to the Department of Revenue as unclaimed property.
6. Providing a new process for obtaining a certificate of title for a vehicle purchased at a public auction.
7. Amending the Unclaimed Property Act to require the publication of information about motor vehicles sold at auction.
The bill aims to balance the rights of vehicle owners with the need for businesses to recover the costs associated with removing and storing abandoned vehicles.
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
Effective Date (on 05/07/2019)
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