Current law requires that unclaimed personal property be turned over to local law enforcement when an impounded vehicle is sold at auction. SB 5652 removes local law enforcement as a custodian of unclaimed belongings found in impounded vehicles. The bill was amended in the House Transportation Committee, but the key provision affecting cities did not change from the Senate version.
SB 5652, as amended, makes the following changes to how a registered tow truck operator (RTTO) must handle found property in impounded vehicles:
- The number of days personal belongings must be stored by the RTTO at no cost before being classified as abandoned is changed to 20 days from the date of impound, or 30 days from the date the personal belongings are removed from the vehicle if the owner requests the belongings be stored by the RTTO.
- RTTOs must maintain a record of any signed personal belongings storage request form.
The Senate must concur with the changes before the bill goes to the Governor.