House Bill 2159, also known as Senate Bill 2360, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to motor vehicles, specifically focusing on the rights and responsibilities of garagekeepers. A new subsection is added to Section 55-31-205, allowing garagekeepers to store a motor vehicle without express written authorization if they make a good faith effort to obtain consent for repairs and send notice of intent to store via certified mail to the last known registered owner. Additionally, Section 66-19-103 is amended to clarify that a garagekeeper's failure to obtain express written authorization does not negate their right to a lien if they have made the required good faith attempt and provided notice.

Further amendments include the deletion of subsection (f) in Section 55-31-207 and its replacement with new provisions. These provisions state that certain subsections do not apply to vehicles towed or stored for repairs if the garagekeeper has obtained owner authorization or has complied with the notice requirements outlined in the new subsection added to Section 55-31-205. The bill aims to streamline the process for garagekeepers while ensuring that vehicle owners are adequately informed about the status of their vehicles. The act will take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 55-31-205, 66-19-103, 55-31-207