summary
Introduced
01/29/2025
01/29/2025
In Committee
03/03/2026
03/03/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Article 1A of Chapter 11 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to abandoned motor vehicles, so as to provide for the establishment of a towed motor vehicle database by the Department of Revenue or an authorized third party; to provide for the use of such database to satisfy notice requirements for liens upon motor vehicles in certain instances; to allow for re-impoundment of motor vehicles upon failing to comply with notice requirements; to provide for certain fees; to provide for definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for effective dates; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a new "towed motor vehicle database" managed by the Department of Revenue or a designated third party, which will be operational by January 1, 2027, and will allow vehicle owners to search for their towed vehicles using the vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number. Towing companies will be required to submit the VIN of towed vehicles to this database within three days of removal, and this action, along with timely submission of the VIN to the database, will be considered sufficient notice to owners if their identity cannot be determined. The bill also shortens the timeframe for towing companies to notify owners of a towed vehicle from 15 days to seven days and introduces a provision allowing for the re-impoundment of a vehicle if towing companies fail to meet these notice requirements, though any storage fees accrued before re-impoundment will be waived. Additionally, the bill modifies the legal process for towing companies to foreclose on a lien against a towed vehicle, extending the owner's response time to 30 days and streamlining the judgment process for the towing company if no response is filed.
Committee Categories
Transportation and Infrastructure
Sponsors (5)
Last Action
House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (on 03/03/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69664 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/244619 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/230712 |
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