HB87 Alabama 2012 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim McClendon

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2012

Title

Motor vehicles, abandoned, includes an order to remove a motor vehicle by law enforcement officers if the driver is arrested or injured, or otherwise needs moving, Secs. 32-13-1, 32-13-2 am'd

Summary

HB87 broadens the definition of abandoned motor vehicles and expands police tow authority, adding scenarios like arrests, injuries, or required removals for safety or outstanding violations, with detailed notice and lien rules for tow operators and property owners.

What This Bill Does

The bill expands when a vehicle can be considered abandoned and when law enforcement may tow it, including situations where the driver is arrested or injured or the vehicle needs to be moved due to safety or outstanding violations. It outlines that towing can occur to the nearest garage or place of safety and imposes notice and posting requirements, as well as liens for removal and storage. It also gives property owners and their agents the authority to remove abandoned vehicles from their property, with required notices to authorities and similar lien rights.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners and drivers: the criteria for what counts as abandoned are broadened, which could lead to towing in more situations (e.g., seven days unattended on public property, driver arrest/injury, impoundment orders).
• Property owners, landlords, wrecker services, and law enforcement: property owners can remove abandoned vehicles from their property and must follow posting and notice rules; tow operators acquire lien rights for removal and storage; law enforcement governs when to initiate removal and must handle notices.

Key Provisions

• Redefines 'abandoned motor vehicle' to include vehicles left unattended on public property for seven days, vehicles left due to driver arrest or injury, and vehicles subject to impoundment orders for violations, plus certain unattended scenarios in business or residential districts with required notices.
• Authorizes law enforcement to tow such vehicles to the nearest garage or place of safety when seven days have passed or the vehicle must be moved due to arrest/injury or impoundment needs.
• Creates liens for towing and storage in these removals, with liability for officials and timelines for notice to the appropriate state agencies after removal.
• Allows property owners or their agents to remove abandoned vehicles from their property, requires 24-hour notice to the local law enforcement agency, and establishes lien rights for removal and storage.
• Establishes detailed private-property posting and notice requirements for towing tows, including notice content, placement, and duration prior to towing.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Motor Vehicles