FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 2844

                     Synopsis as Enacted

                         C 200 L 92

Brief Description:  Removing the limitation on deficiency claims against owners of vehicles subjected to a law enforcement impound.

By Representatives Zellinsky and R. Fisher.

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  A registered tow truck operator who has lawfully impounded and stored a vehicle has a lien on the vehicle for the impound and storage charges incurred.  If a vehicle remains unclaimed after the proper notification and waiting period, the tow truck operator must sell the vehicle at a public auction.

If an operator does not satisfy the lien through the sale of the vehicle at the public auction, the operator has a deficiency claim of up to $300, less the amount received at the auction, against the last registered owner.  For vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, the operator has a deficiency claim of $1,000, less the bid at the auction.

Summary:  The limitation on deficiency claims for tow truck operators who lawfully impound and sell vehicles at a public auction does not apply to law enforcement-directed impounds.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96   1

Senate 40   0    (Senate amended)

House  95   1    (House concurred)

Effective:    June 11, 1992