HB285 Alabama 2011 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Randy WoodRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2011

Title

Salvage vehicles, secondary metals recyclers may acquire without title under certain conditions, statement of ownership, value, and identifying characterists required, lien verification system provided by Revenue Department, penalties, Sec. 32-8-87 am'd.; Act 2010-748, 2010 Reg. Sess. am'd.

Summary

HB285 would let owners transfer certain motor vehicles without titles to auto dismantlers or secondary metals recyclers under specific conditions, with owner statements, new recordkeeping, and a real-time lien verification system.

What This Bill Does

Creates a procedure for transferring motor vehicles without a title to automotive dismantlers/parts recyclers or secondary metals recyclers, provided the owner submits a statement about ownership, value, and identifying characteristics and the statement is filed with the Department of Revenue. Requires the dismantler or recycler to maintain records of vehicles purchased for recycling or remelting, and to furnish the statement to the Department of Revenue; imposes criminal penalties for violations and allows law enforcement to confiscate vehicles or tools used in illegal sales. Links the transfer process to liens by requiring electronic recording of liens within 24 hours of becoming a lien holder and release within 24 hours of satisfaction, and directs the Department of Revenue to provide a real-time lien verification system with free access and transmission of the required statement. Effective January 1, 2012, and includes a provision that the act is exempt from local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 of the Alabama Constitution due to specified exceptions.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: Vehicle owners who scrap or transfer salvage/total-loss vehicles; they may transfer without a title if they provide an owner statement with required information and must comply with the new rules or face penalties.
• Group 2: Automotive dismantlers and parts recyclers or secondary metals recyclers (and lien holders) plus the Department of Revenue; they must collect and file owner statements, maintain prescribed records, follow electronic lien procedures, use the real-time verification system, and could face penalties or enforcement actions for violations.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 32-8-87 to allow transfer of certain motor vehicles without a title to automotive dismantlers/parts recyclers or secondary metals recyclers under conditions, with the owner providing a statement of ownership, value, and identifying characteristics to the Department of Revenue.
• Requires the automotive dismantler/parts recycler or secondary metals recycler to maintain specific records of vehicles purchased for recycling or remelting, including VIN, seller information, copies of licenses, date of sale, and surrendered title or the required statement.
• Establishes penalties for violations of these provisions, including Class C felonies for falsifying the required statement, and allows confiscation of vehicles or tools used in illegal sales by law enforcement.
• Mandates electronic recording of liens within 24 hours of a person becoming a lien holder and electronic release within 24 hours after satisfaction.
• Requires the Department of Revenue to provide a real-time online lien verification system and to accept electronic transmission of the statements required under the new transfer provisions, with no charge for verification or transmission.
• Effective date is January 1, 2012; the act is stated to be exempt from local expenditure requirements under Amendment 621 due to specified exceptions.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Secondary Metals Recyclers