This bill amends the law regarding the towing and storage of vehicles, implements, or pieces of machinery in Arkansas, specifically addressing the release of such items when they have been towed without the owner's consent. It introduces a new provision that mandates towing and storage companies to release the vehicle, implement, or piece of machinery to the owner or their representative, regardless of whether the owner has satisfied any possessory lien held by the towing company or local government entities. This change aims to protect the rights of vehicle owners in nonconsensual towing situations.

Additionally, the bill establishes that owners who receive their vehicles back under this provision cannot sell them without first satisfying the former possessory lien. Violating this requirement is classified as a Class C misdemeanor, and upon conviction, the offender must pay twice the amount of the possessory lien to the lien holder. These amendments are designed to enhance accountability and ensure that vehicle owners are not unduly penalized when reclaiming their property after it has been towed without their consent.

Statutes affected:
SB 541: 27-50-1101(a)