2003 House Bill 4231 ↩

Senate Roll Call 988: Passed

To establish procedures for towing vehicles abandoned on public or private property. The bill establishes new standards for what constitutes an abandoned vehicle, and streamlines procedures related to the towing, owner notification, custody, and sale of such vehicles. Among other things the bill would require the owner of an abandoned vehicle to pay a $50 civil fine, impose a $40 retrieval fee to any towing and storage fees, and require the Secretary of State to maintain a registry of abandoned vehicles on its website. The bill would also establish regulations for auto dealer "tent sales;" apply the same regulations and licensure requirements that apply to Michigan dealers to out-of-state dealers holding such an event; and revise procedures and timelines related to certain commercial motor vehicle and hazardous material transport licenses required by the USA Patriot Act. Finally, the bill would essentially ban home-based used car dealers.