Under existing law, certain persons who store, maintain, keep, repair or furnish facilities or services for certain vehicles have a lien on such vehicles. (NRS 108.265-108.367) Existing law authorizes a person who has such a lien to satisfy the lien by selling the vehicle at an auction held at or near the place where the lien was acquired. Section 1 of this bill provides that, if a person who has such a lien is unable to sell the vehicle at a public auction for the fair market value of the vehicle, the person may satisfy the lien by selling the vehicle by private sale directly to a third-party purchaser in an arm's length transaction. Section 1 also removes the requirement that a sale must be held at or near the place where the lien was acquired. Existing law provides for the licensure and regulation of automobile wreckers. (NRS 487.047-487.200) Section 3.3 of this bill authorizes an automobile wrecker to sell a vehicle acquired by the automobile wrecker that: (1) possesses minor damage; and (2) is not scheduled to be salvaged. Existing law requires, in general, that the seller of a used motor vehicle provide the buyer of the vehicle with evidence that the vehicle complies with certain engine emission standards for the purpose of registering the vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles. (NRS 445B.800) Section 1.5 of this bill provides that this requirement does not apply to an automobile wrecker who: (1) has acquired a vehicle that possesses minor damage and is not scheduled to be salvaged; (2) sells such a vehicle to a buyer who is responsible for obtaining such compliance before registering the vehicle; and (3) complies with certain notice requirements. Existing law requires an automobile wrecker to forward to the Department the certificates of title and registration for certain vehicles acquired by the automobile wrecker. (NRS 487.100) Section 3.6 of this bill provides an exemption to this requirement if the automobile wrecker acquires a vehicle to sell that: (1) possesses minor damage; and (2) is not scheduled to be salvaged. Existing law provides provisions for the removal and disposal of abandoned vehicles. (NRS 487.205-487.300) Existing law provides that the owner of a garage to which an abandoned vehicle has been removed or an automobile wrecker who towed an abandoned vehicle has a lien on the vehicle and establishes the manner in which such a lien may be satisfied depending on the appraised value of the vehicle. (NRS 487.270) Section 3.9 of this bill provides that the operator of a tow car who tows an abandoned vehicle has a lien on the vehicle. Section 3.9 revises the appraised values which determine the manner in which a lien on an abandoned vehicle may be satisfied. Section 3.9 authorizes an automobile wrecker or operator of a tow car to obtain an unbranded title for an abandoned vehicle from the Department if the automobile wrecker or operator presents a certificate of inspection to the Department which meets certain requirements. On November 16, 2021, the United States Department of State issued a notice indicating that it is the preference of the Office of Foreign Missions of the United States Department of State that states cease issuing special license plates to honorary consular officers. (United States Department of State, “Cessation of Honorary Consul License Plates,” November 16, 2021) In accordance with that notice, section 7 of this bill repeals provisions of existing law which provide for the issuance of special license plates to a person appointed as an honorary consul of a foreign country, thereby terminating the production and distribution of such plates. (NRS 482.3675) Sections 2 and 3 of this bill make conforming changes by eliminating references to the repealed section. Existing law requires the Director of the Department of Motor Vehicles to prepare and submit an annual report concerning garages, garage operators and body shops to the Legislative Commission or Legislature, as appropriate, on or before January 1 of each year. (NRS 487.557) Section 4 of this bill instead requires the Director to submit this report on or before February 1 of each year. Section 4 also updates references to the standing committees to whom the report will be transmitted.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 108.310, 482.379, 482.500, 487.557, 482.3675
Reprint 1: 108.310, 482.379, 482.500, 487.557, 482.3675
Reprint 2: 108.310, 445B.805, 482.379, 482.500, 487.100, 487.270, 487.557, 482.3675
As Enrolled: 108.310, 445B.805, 482.379, 482.500, 487.100, 487.270, 487.557, 482.3675
BDR: 108.310, 482.379, 482.500, 487.557, 482.3675