The bill amends section 316.1935 of the Florida Statutes to establish new procedures for impounding motor vehicles involved in fleeing or eluding law enforcement officers. It allows for the impoundment of such vehicles for up to 30 business days and mandates that the impounding agency make diligent efforts to notify the registered owner. The bill outlines specific conditions under which an impounded vehicle must be released, including scenarios where the owner was not operating the vehicle at the time of the offense, and requires the owner or their agent to present a valid driver’s license upon retrieval. Additionally, all costs and fees associated with the impoundment must be paid by the vehicle owner or the person leasing or renting the vehicle.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new subsection that classifies any motor vehicle involved in a violation of this section as contraband, allowing law enforcement agencies to seize such vehicles, which are then subject to forfeiture. This provision also states that vehicles not required to be titled under Florida law are presumed to belong to the person in possession of the vehicle. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 779 Filed: 316.1935