SB285 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve LivingstonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Motor vehicles, unclaimed motor vehicles, title hold, further provided, bond requirement, provided, Secs. 32-8-84, 32-13-2, 32-13-3 am'd.

Summary

Extends the unclaimed motor vehicle title hold from 45 to 60 days and requires a bond for selling abandoned vehicles by sellers who are not bonded agents.

What This Bill Does

If enacted, the state would place a 60-calendar day hold on the title record for unclaimed vehicles, delaying title issuance unless the transaction happened before unclaimed date or the vehicle is returned to the owner or lienholder. Reporters must notify the Department within five days, use NMVTIS to identify the current owner or most recent state, and send certified notices to the owner and lienholder with a 30-day redemption window. A bond would be required for the sale of abandoned vehicles by non-bonded sellers, and sellers must keep certain notices and NMVTIS records for several years. The bill also outlines auction procedures, restoration or salvage provisions, and department actions related to theft or salvage status.

Who It Affects

• Vehicle owners and lienholders may experience a longer period before title is issued for unclaimed vehicles and will receive required notices and redemption opportunities.
• Sellers of abandoned vehicles who are not bonded agents must comply with new bond requirements, notice, recordkeeping, and sale procedures when disposing of abandoned vehicles.

Key Provisions

• Extend unclaimed motor vehicle title hold from 45 to 60 calendar days.
• Reporting requirement: those in possession of an unclaimed vehicle must report it to the Department within five days and use NMVTIS to determine title status; notify owner and lienholder with certified mail and provide a 30-day redemption window before abandonment is declared.
• Bond requirement: sellers who are not bonded agents must post a surety bond to obtain title for abandoned vehicle sales after January 1, 2020.
• Recordkeeping: sellers must maintain copies of notices and NMVTIS records for three years.
• Auction and sale procedures: outlines publication or posting notices, county-based auctions, and termination notices to owner and lienholder; requires notices to be sent and details included in notices.
• Salvage and rebuild provisions: if a title is salvage or flagged as salvage, new titles reflect that status and vehicles may be restricted from registration until rebuilt and inspected.
• Department authority: may suspend vehicle registration for theft or conversion and handles title issuance to insurers in theft settlements.

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