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H.B. 327

             1     

IMPOUNDED VEHICLES AMENDMENTS

             2     
2004 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Sponsor: Eric K. Hutchings

             5     
             6      LONG TITLE
             7      General Description:
             8          This bill modifies the Motor Vehicles Code to amend provisions relating to seizing and
             9      taking possession of a vehicle.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    provides that the division or a peace officer may seize a vehicle, vessel, or outboard
             13      motor parked on a public highway if it is in violation of certain registration
             14      provisions and the division or a peace officer has made a reasonable effort to
             15      contact the last known registered owner within 24 hours before the seizure; and
             16          .    makes technical changes.
             17      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             18          None
             19      Other Special Clauses:
             20          None
             21      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             22      AMENDS:
             23          41-1a-1101, as last amended by Chapter 202, Laws of Utah 2001
             24     
             25      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             26          Section 1. Section 41-1a-1101 is amended to read:
             27           41-1a-1101. Seizure -- Circumstances where permitted -- Impound lot standards.


             28          (1) The division or any peace officer, without a warrant, may seize and take possession
             29      of any vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor:
             30          (a) that the division or the peace officer has reason to believe has been stolen;
             31          (b) on which any identification number has been defaced, altered, or obliterated;
             32          (c) that has been abandoned on the public highways;
             33          (d) for which the applicant has written a check for registration or title fees that has not
             34      been honored by the applicant's bank and that is not paid within 30 days;
             35          (e) that is placed on the water with improper registration; [or]
             36          (f) that is being operated on a highway:
             37          (i) with registration that has been expired for more than three months;
             38          (ii) having never been properly registered by the current owner; or
             39          (iii) with registration that is suspended or revoked[.]; or
             40          (g) that is parked on a public highway if:
             41          (i) the division or a peace officer has made a reasonable effort to contact the last known
             42      registered owner within 24 hours before the seizure; and
             43          (ii) (A) the registration has been expired for more than three months;
             44          (B) the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor has never been properly registered by the
             45      current owner; or
             46          (C) the registration is suspended or revoked.
             47          (2) If necessary for the transportation of a seized vessel, the vessel's trailer may be
             48      seized to transport and store the vessel.
             49          (3) Any peace officer seizing or taking possession of a vehicle, vessel, or outboard
             50      motor under this section shall comply with the provisions of Section 41-6-102.5 .
             51          (4) (a) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
             52      the commission shall make rules setting standards for public garages, impound lots, and
             53      impound yards that may be used by peace officers and the division.
             54          (b) The standards shall be equitable, reasonable, and unrestrictive as to the number of
             55      public garages, impound lots, or impound yards per geographical area.
             56          (5) (a) Except as provided under Subsection (5)(b), a person may not operate or allow
             57      to be operated a vehicle stored in a public garage, impound lot, or impound yard regulated
             58      under this part without prior written permission of the owner of the vehicle.


             59          (b) Incidental and necessary operation of a vehicle to move the vehicle from one
             60      parking space to another within the facility and that is necessary for the normal management of
             61      the facility is not prohibited under this Subsection (5)(a).
             62          (6) A person who violates the provisions of Subsection (5) is guilty of a class C
             63      misdemeanor.
             64          (7) The division or the peace officer who seizes a vehicle shall record the mileage
             65      shown on the vehicle's odometer at the time of seizure, if:
             66          (a) the vehicle is equipped with an odometer; and
             67          (b) the odometer reading is accessible to the division or the peace officer.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-17-04 11:02 AM


A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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