HB 167 Alabama House · 2025 Regular Session

Motor vehicles, unclaimed, towing, towing company may notify the Revenue Department on the Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicle Portal immediately after towing

HB 167 requires towing companies to immediately report unclaimed or abandoned vehicles to the Department of Revenue via the existing Unclaimed/Abandoned Vehicle Portal after towing them, rather than waiting 30 days as currently required. This change directly affects towing businesses and the Revenue Department, streamlining the process for handling such vehicles. The key provision replaces current waiting periods with an immediate reporting obligation through the state's digital portal. The bill aims to improve efficiency in tracking and managing unclaimed vehicles statewide. It will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 5, 2025 Last action Mar 5, 2025

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 6 edits · Feb 27, 2025

MODERATE

This bill was amended to clarify when vehicles are considered unclaimed and updated reporting timelines. The changes make the definition of unclaimed vehicles more specific and add requirements for notifying owners when vehicles are reported from out-of-state registrations.

Scope change

The bill's scope was refined to include specific timeframes for when vehicles become unclaimed and expanded notification requirements for out-of-state vehicles.

DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for when a motor vehicle is considered unclaimed, including timeframes of 48 hours for unattended vehicles on public roads and vehicles left for repairs.

TIMELINE

Changed reporting requirements to allow immediate reporting after towing a vehicle, rather than waiting five calendar days from when the vehicle was first considered unclaimed.

Added effective date of October 1, 2025 for the new provisions.

REQUIREMENT

Added new requirement to send certified mail notice to out-of-state owners when a vehicle is reported as unclaimed, including vehicle location, storage fees, and contact information.

ENFORCEMENT

Modified forfeiture provisions to clarify that failure to report a vehicle does not forfeit claims for towing and repair costs, only for garaging, parking, and storage.

Added requirement for the Department of Revenue to provide notice of unclaimed vehicles to law enforcement and to the person who reported the vehicle if it was reported as stolen.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Out of Committee Second House

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending Committee Action in Second House (Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Safety)

upper

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Read a Third Time and Pass as Amended - Adopted Roll Call 264

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Motion to Adopt - Adopted Roll Call 263

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced

Public Safety and Homeland Security Engrossed Substitute Offered (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported Out of Committee House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Introduced

Public Safety and Homeland Security 1st Amendment (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin (Public Safety and Homeland Security)

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors