Changes to Existing Law

A person may apply for a title on any motor vehicle that is left unclaimed, as the5 result of an unpaid repair bill, by its owner or person lawfully in possession of, on private6 property for a period of thirty days after written notice of intent to apply for a title is given to7 the owner at the owner's last known address and to any readily identifiable insurer or lien holder8 by certified mail. The notice shall set forth the location where the motor vehicle is being kept, the circumstances surrounding acquisition of the vehicle, the year, make, model, and serial10 number of the motor vehicle, and shall inform the owner, insurer, and any lien holder of the11 right to reclaim the vehicle as provided by § 32-3-69. The notice shall be on a form provided12 by the department. If it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and address of the14 registered owner, insurer, and any lien holder, a notice shall be published once in a newspaper15 100 copies were printed on recycled paper by the South DakotaLegislative Research Council at a cost of $.167 per page.v Insertions into existing statutes are indicated by underscores.Deletions from existing statutes are indicated by overstrikes. - 2 -SB of general circulation in the area where the motor vehicle was left for repair. Published notices1 may be grouped together for convenience and economy.

Title to any motor vehicle shall vest with the person to whom the unpaid repair bill4 is payable and who has complied with the provisions of this chapter § 32-3-68 in notifying the5 owner and all insurers and lien holders of their rights to reclaim the motor vehicle after a period6 of thirty days from the date to which notice was sent to the owner and all insurers and lien7 holders. The owner, insurer, or the lienholder may reclaim the motor vehicle by paying any8 reasonable cost of repair. A lienholder paying the cost of repair may add the cost of repair to the9 outstanding loan secured by the vehicle. The owner, insurer, or lien holder shall pay the repair bill and remove the motor vehicle, or notify the department and the repair facility by certified mail within thirty days of receipt of the notice of their intent to reclaim the motor vehicle. If the12 owner, insurer, or lien holder fails to claim pay the repair bill and remove the motor vehicle13 within thirty days after mailing of the notice of intent to reclaim the vehicle, title to the motor14 vehicle is irrevocably vested in the person to whom the repair bill is payable and who has15 complied with the provisions of this chapter. The vehicle shall be sold at public auction pursuant to §§ 21-54-5, 21-54-7, and 21-54-10 and any excess moneys above settlement of the debt shall be forwarded to the prior owner, insurer, and any other party with a legal interest in such vehicle. If the owner, insurer, and any lien holder are unidentifiable or not able to be contacted, the excess moneys shall be sent to the state treasurer and treated as unclaimed property pursuant to chapter 43-41B.21