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