Minnesota Session Laws - 1997, Regular Session

                            CHAPTER 108-S.F.No. 166 
                  An act relating to motor vehicles; allowing sale 15 
                  days after notice of vehicles impounded in Minneapolis 
                  or St. Paul; amending Minnesota Statutes 1996, 
                  sections 168B.051, subdivision 2, and by adding a 
                  subdivision; 168B.06, subdivision 1; and 168B.07, 
                  subdivision 1. 
        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA: 
           Section 1.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 168B.051, is 
        amended by adding a subdivision to read: 
           Subd. 1a.  [SALE 15 DAYS AFTER NOTICE BY CERTIFIED MAIL.] 
        An unauthorized vehicle impounded by the city of Minneapolis or 
        by the city of St. Paul is eligible for disposal or sale under 
        section 168B.08, 15 days after notice is sent by certified mail, 
        return receipt requested, to the registered owner, if any, of 
        the unauthorized vehicle and to all readily identifiable 
        lienholders of record.  If, before the expiration of the 15-day 
        period following notice of taking, the registered owner or 
        lienholder of record delivers to the impound lot operator a 
        written statement of intent to reclaim the vehicle, the vehicle 
        is not eligible for disposal or sale until 45 days after the 
        notice of taking, if the owner or lienholder has not reclaimed 
        under section 168B.07.  Notwithstanding section 168B.06, 
        subdivision 3, a second notice shall not be required. 
           Sec. 2.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 168B.051, 
        subdivision 2, is amended to read: 
           Subd. 2.  [SALE AFTER 45 DAYS.] An impounded vehicle is 
        eligible for disposal or sale under section 168B.08, 45 days 
        after notice to the owner, if the vehicle is determined to be an 
        unauthorized vehicle that was not impounded by the city of 
        Minneapolis or the city of St. Paul. 
           Sec. 3.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 168B.06, 
        subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
           Subdivision 1.  [CONTENTS; NOTICE GIVEN WITHIN TEN DAYS.] 
        When an impounded vehicle is taken into custody, the unit of 
        government or impound lot operator taking it into custody shall 
        give notice of the taking within ten days.  The notice shall (a) 
        set forth the date and place of the taking, the year, make, 
        model and serial number of the impounded motor vehicle if such 
        information can be reasonably obtained and the place where the 
        vehicle is being held, (b) inform the owner and any lienholders 
        of their right to reclaim the vehicle under section 168B.07, and 
        (c) state that failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise 
        their right to reclaim the vehicle and contents within the 
        appropriate time allowed under section 168B.051, subdivision 1, 
        1a, or 2, shall be deemed a waiver by them of all right, title, 
        and interest in the vehicle and contents and a consent to the 
        transfer of title to and disposal or sale of the vehicle and 
        contents pursuant to section 168B.08. 
           Sec. 4.  Minnesota Statutes 1996, section 168B.07, 
        subdivision 1, is amended to read: 
           Subdivision 1.  [PAYMENT OF CHARGES.] The owner or any 
        lienholder of an impounded vehicle shall have a right to reclaim 
        such vehicle from the unit of government or impound lot operator 
        taking it into custody upon payment of all towing and storage 
        charges resulting from taking the vehicle into custody within 15 
        25 or 45 days, as applicable under section 168B.051, subdivision 
        1, 1a, or 2, after the date of the notice required by section 
        168B.06.  
           Sec. 5.  [EFFECTIVE DATE.] 
           This act is effective for each of the cities, respectively, 
        the day after compliance with Minnesota Statutes, section 
        645.021, subdivision 3, by the city of Minneapolis and by the 
        city of St. Paul. 
           Presented to the governor May 5, 1997 
           Signed by the governor May 6, 1997, 2:52 p.m.