This bill amends existing laws regarding the handling of abandoned vehicles in Iowa, specifically focusing on the notice and reclamation processes. It reduces the timeframe for a police authority or private entity to send notice of custody from twenty days to five days after taking possession of an abandoned vehicle. Conversely, it extends the reclaiming period for owners and claimants from ten days to twenty days. The bill also mandates that entities provide an itemized account of all fees associated with reclaiming a vehicle and allows individuals to reclaim personal property from the vehicle at no cost during normal business hours without needing to reclaim the vehicle itself.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions to ensure that proper notice and opportunities for inspection are provided to owners and claimants. If such notice is not given, the right to reclaim the vehicle or personal property is not forfeited. The bill also stipulates that if an abandoned vehicle is sold without the required notice and inspection opportunity, the selling entity must pay any remaining loan amount to the lienholder. Overall, these changes aim to enhance the rights of vehicle owners and claimants while ensuring a more transparent process for the custody and disposal of abandoned vehicles.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.89, 321.90