SB370 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

William “Bill” M. BeasleySenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Motor vehicles, abandoned and unclaimed, disposition of further provided for, sale at public auction, pre- and post-sale appeal procedures, criminal penalties, Secs. 32-13-9, 32-13-10 added; Secs. 32-8-84, 32-13-1, 32-13-2, 32-13-3, 32-13-4, 32-13-6 am'd.

Summary

SB370 overhauls Alabama's handling of abandoned and unclaimed motor vehicles by adding faster unclaimed thresholds, requiring NMVTIS title checks, delaying title transfers, and creating new sale, appeal, and fraud penalties.

What This Bill Does

Defines unclaimed vehicles as those left unattended for 48 hours on public roads or on private property without the owner's consent (including vehicles left for repairs) and requires reporting to the Department of Revenue with an NMVTIS title check and a 45-day hold on the title. Expands tow/removal authority and gives a lien to towing/storage companies; law enforcement can tow under specified conditions and may have limited immunity. Establishes public auction procedures for unclaimed/abandoned vehicles, including notice to the Department of Revenue, pre-sale appeals to the Alabama Tax Tribunal or circuit court, post-sale appeals to the circuit court, and rules for contesting sales and deducting costs. Creates new enforcement provisions and penalties for fraudulent statements related to abandoned vehicle sales and sets an effective date.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners and lienholders: must be notified about proposed sales; their rights and liens can be affected by the sale, with specific timelines for redeeming or contesting actions.
• Tow operators, garages, repair shops, and property owners/lessees: have duties to report unclaimed vehicles, may place vehicles in storage, can hold a lien for removal/storage, and participate in the sale process.
• Law enforcement and the Department of Revenue: responsible for enforcing the act, coordinating with courts, and implementing NMVTIS checks and title holds.
• Auction purchasers and the public: may buy abandoned vehicles at public auction and receive a bill of sale free of liens; must follow title transfer rules and any salvage-title requirements.

Key Provisions

• Redefined unclaimed motor vehicles as those left unattended for 48 hours on public roads or on private property without consent, including vehicles left for repairs.
• Requires reporting of unclaimed vehicles to the Department of Revenue, NMVTIS title-state checks, and a 45-calendar-day hold on the title record before transfer.
• Allows law enforcement to tow or remove vehicles under specified conditions and grants a lien to the towing/storage operator; includes limited immunity for officers.
• Sets notice and sale procedures for unclaimed vehicles, including pre-sale notices, publication or posting of sale notices, and timelines (e.g., 30- to 60-day windows) prior to sale; provides for appeals to the Alabama Tax Tribunal or circuit court.
• Allows for deduction of reasonable repair, towing, storage, and sale-related costs from sale proceeds; requires notice to owners, registrants, and lienholders with certified mail; imposes cost limits and requires records retention for three years.
• Requires the seller to provide a bill of sale to the purchaser and to attach supporting documents showing current owners and lienholders; restricts title issuance until proper notice and records are provided.
• If the vehicle is salvage, the title issued must be a salvage title and may require rebuilding and inspection before operation on public roads.
• Adds new Sections 32-13-9 and 32-13-10 to authorize department enforcement assistance by law enforcement and to make fraudulent statements about abandoned vehicle sales a Class C felony.
• Explicitly states the act's local-funding impact is exempt from Amendment 621 requirements because it creates new crimes or changes penalties.
• Effective July 1, 2016, after governor approval.

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