This bill amends existing laws regarding abandoned vehicles in Iowa, primarily altering the timelines and procedures for notifying vehicle owners and lienholders. It reduces the timeframe for a police authority or private entity to send notice of custody from twenty days to ten days. Conversely, it extends the reclamation period for owners and lienholders to reclaim their vehicles and personal property from ten days to twenty days. Additionally, if a private entity sells an abandoned vehicle at auction without providing notice to a lienholder, the entity is required to pay the lienholder from the auction proceeds before using the funds for any other purpose.

The bill also introduces new provisions allowing individuals to reclaim personal property from inside the vehicle for a fee, and it mandates that entities with custody of abandoned vehicles provide an itemized account of all fees assessed during the reclamation process. Furthermore, it allows lienholders or insurance companies to request information about the vehicle's condition for a fee, ensuring they can inspect the vehicle or receive photos before the end of the twenty-day reclamation period. Overall, the bill aims to clarify the rights and responsibilities of all parties involved in the custody and reclamation of abandoned vehicles while establishing penalties for non-compliance.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 321.89, 321.90