HB2293 - 551R

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 28-3511, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE28-3511. Removal and immobilization or impoundment of vehicle; Arizona crime information center database

A. Except as provided in subsection H of this section, a peace officer shall cause the removal and either immobilization or impoundment of a vehicle if the peace officer determines that:

1. A person is driving the vehicle while any of the following applies:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this subdivision, the person's driving privilege is revoked or suspended for any reason. A peace officer shall not cause the removal and either immobilization or impoundment of a vehicle pursuant to this subdivision if the person's privilege to drive is either:

(i) Valid in this state.

(ii) Suspended pursuant to sections 28-1601 or 28-3308.

(b) The person has not ever been issued a valid driver license or permit by this state and the person does not produce evidence of ever having a valid driver license or permit issued by another jurisdiction. This subdivision does not apply to the operation of an implement of husbandry.

(c) The person is subject to an ignition interlock device requirement pursuant to chapter 4 of this title and the person is operating a vehicle without a functioning certified ignition interlock device. This subdivision does not apply to the operation of a vehicle due to a substantial emergency as defined in section 28-1464.

(d) In furtherance of the illegal presence of an alien in the United States and in violation of a criminal offense, the person is transporting or moving or attempting to transport or move an alien in this state in a vehicle if the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien has come to, has entered or remains in the United States in violation of law.

(e) The person is concealing, harboring or shielding or attempting to conceal, harbor or shield from detection an alien in this state in a vehicle if the person knows or recklessly disregards the fact that the alien has come to, entered or remains in the United States in violation of law.

2. The vehicle is displayed for sale or for transfer of ownership with a vehicle identification number that has been destroyed, removed, covered, altered or defaced.

B. A peace officer shall cause the removal and impoundment of a vehicle if the peace officer determines that a person is driving the vehicle and if all of the following apply:

1. The person's driving privilege is canceled or revoked for any reason or the person has not ever been issued a driver license or permit by this state and the person does not produce evidence of ever having a driver license or permit issued by another jurisdiction.

2. The person is not in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of chapter 9, article 4 of this title.

3. The person is driving a vehicle that is involved in an accident that results in either property damage or injury to or death of another person.

C. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, while a peace officer has control of the vehicle the peace officer shall cause the removal and either immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle if the peace officer has probable cause to arrest the driver of the vehicle for a violation of section 4-244, paragraph 34 or section 28-1382 or 28-1383.

D. A peace officer shall not cause the removal and either the immobilization or impoundment of a vehicle pursuant to subsection C of this section if all of the following apply:

1. The peace officer determines that the vehicle is currently registered and that the driver or the vehicle is in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of chapter 9, article 4 of this title.

2. The spouse of the driver Another person is with the driver at the time of the arrest.

3. The peace officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the spouse of other person who is with the driver at the time of the arrest:

(a) Has a valid driver license.

(b) Is not impaired by intoxicating liquor, any drug, a vapor releasing substance containing a toxic substance or any combination of liquor, drugs or vapor releasing substances.

(c) Does not have any spirituous liquor in the spouse's person's body if the spouse person is under twenty-one years of age.

4. The spouse other person who is with the driver at the time of the arrest notifies the peace officer that the spouse person will drive the vehicle from the place of arrest to the driver's home or other place of safety.

5. The spouse other person drives the vehicle as prescribed by paragraph 4 of this subsection.

E. Except as otherwise provided in this article, a vehicle that is removed and either immobilized or impounded pursuant to subsection A, or B or C of this section or removed pursuant to subsection C of this section shall be immobilized or impounded for thirty twenty days. An insurance company does not have a duty to pay any benefits for charges or fees for immobilization or impoundment.

F. The owner of a vehicle that is removed and either immobilized or impounded pursuant to subsection A, or B or C of this section or removed pursuant to subsection C of this section, the spouse of the owner and each person who has provided the department with indicia of ownership as prescribed in section 28-3514 or other interest in the vehicle that exists immediately before the immobilization or impoundment shall be provided with an opportunity for an immobilization or poststorage hearing pursuant to section 28-3514.

G. A law enforcement agency that employs the peace officer who removes and either immobilizes or impounds a vehicle pursuant to this section shall enter information about the removal and either immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle in the Arizona crime information center database within three business days after the removal and either immobilization or impoundment.

H. A peace officer who needs to be present at an emergency in another location is not required to remove, immobilize or impound a vehicle pursuant to subsection A of this section. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 28-3512, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE28-3512. Release of vehicle; civil penalties; definition

A. An immobilizing or impounding agency shall release a vehicle before the end of the thirty-day immobilization or impoundment period as follows:

1. To the registered owner, if the vehicle is a stolen vehicle.

2. To the registered owner, if the vehicle is subject to bailment and is driven by an employee of a business establishment, including a parking service or repair garage, who is subject to section 28-3511, subsection A, B or C.

3. To the registered owner, if the owner was operating the vehicle at the time of removal and either immobilization or impoundment and presents proof satisfactory to the immobilizing or impounding agency that the owner's driving privilege has been reinstated.

4. To the registered owner, if all of the following apply:

(a) The owner or the owner's agent was not the person driving the vehicle pursuant to section 28-3511, subsection A.

(b) The owner or the owner's agent is in the business of renting motor vehicles without drivers.

(d) There was a rental agreement in effect at the time of the immobilization or impoundment.

5. Except as provided in paragraph 7 of this subsection, to the spouse of the registered owner or any person who is identified as an owner of the vehicle on the records of the department at the time of removal and either immobilization or impoundment, if the spouse or person was not the driver of the vehicle at the time of removal and either immobilization or impoundment and the spouse or person enters into an agreement with the immobilizing or impounding agency that stipulates that if the spouse or person allows a driver who does not have a valid driving privilege or a driver who commits a violation that causes the spouse's or person's vehicle to be removed and either immobilized or impounded pursuant to this article within one year after any agreement is signed by an immobilizing or impounding agency, the spouse or person will not be eligible to obtain release of the spouse's or person's vehicle before the end of the thirty-day immobilization or impoundment period.

6. To the motor vehicle dealer, if the vehicle is owned by a motor vehicle dealer who has paid fees pursuant to section 28-4302 and is driven by a customer, potential customer or employee of the motor vehicle dealer and the motor vehicle dealer has provided to the immobilizing or impounding agency indicia of the motor vehicle dealer's ownership of the vehicle, including a certificate of title or a manufacturer-issued certificate or statement of origin.

7. To any person who is identified as an owner of the vehicle on the records of the department at the time of removal and either immobilization or impoundment, if the vehicle is a commercial motor vehicle, a street sweeper or heavy equipment as defined in section 28-854 and the person was not the driver of the vehicle at the time of removal and either immobilization or impoundment.

B. A vehicle shall not be released pursuant to subsection A of this section except pursuant to an immobilization or a poststorage hearing under section 28-3514 or if all of the following are presented to the immobilizing or impounding agency:

1. The owner's or owner's spouse's currently valid driver license issued by this state or the owner's or owner's spouse's state of domicile.

2. Proof of current vehicle registration or a valid salvage or dismantle certificate of title.

3. Proof that the vehicle is in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of chapter 9, article 4 of this title.

4. If the person is required by the department to install a certified ignition interlock device on the vehicle, proof of installation of a functioning certified ignition interlock device in the vehicle. The impounding agency, storage yard, facility, person or agency having physical possession of the vehicle shall allow access during normal business hours to the impounded vehicle for the purpose of installing a certified ignition interlock device. The impounding agency, storage yard, facility, person or agency having physical possession of the vehicle shall not charge any fee or require compensation for providing access to the vehicle or for the installation of the certified ignition interlock device.

C. The owner or the owner's spouse if the vehicle is released to the owner's spouse is responsible for paying all immobilization, towing and storage charges related to the immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle and any administrative charges established pursuant to section 28-3513, unless the vehicle is stolen and the theft was reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. If the vehicle is stolen and the theft was reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency, the operator of the vehicle at the time of immobilization or impoundment is responsible for all immobilization, towing, storage and administrative charges.

D. Before the end of the thirty-day immobilization or impoundment period, the immobilizing or impounding agency shall release a vehicle to a person, other than the owner, identified on the department's record as having an interest in the vehicle immediately before the immobilization or impoundment if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The person is either of the following:

(a) In the business of renting motor vehicles without drivers and the vehicle is registered pursuant to section 28-2166.

(b) A motor vehicle dealer, bank, credit union or acceptance corporation or any other licensed financial institution legally operating in this state or is another person who is not the owner and who holds a security interest in the vehicle immediately before the immobilization or impoundment.

2. The person pays all immobilization, towing and storage charges related to the immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle and any administrative charges established pursuant to section 28-3513 unless the vehicle is stolen and the theft was reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. If the vehicle is stolen and the theft was reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency, the operator of the vehicle at the time of immobilization or impoundment is responsible for all immobilization, towing, storage and administrative charges.

3. The person presents foreclosure documents or an affidavit of repossession of the vehicle.

4. The person requesting release of the vehicle was not the person driving the vehicle at the time of removal and immobilization or impoundment.

E. Before a person described in subsection D of this section releases the vehicle to the owner who was operating the vehicle at the time of removal and immobilization or impoundment, the person described in subsection D of this section shall require the owner to present and shall retain for a period of at least three years from the date of releasing the vehicle a copy of all of the following:

1. A driver license issued by this state or the owner's or owner's agent's state of domicile.

2. A current vehicle registration or a valid salvage or dismantle certificate of title.

3. Evidence that the vehicle is in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of chapter 9, article 4 of this title.

F. The person described in subsection D of this section may require the owner to pay charges that the person incurred in connection with obtaining custody of the vehicle, including all immobilization, towing and storage charges that are related to the immobilization or impoundment of the vehicle and any administrative charges that are established pursuant to section 28-3513.

G. A vehicle shall not be released after the end of the thirty-day immobilization or impoundment period unless the owner or owner's agent presents all of the following to the impounding or immobilizing agency:

1. A valid driver license issued by this state or by the owner's or owner's agent's state of domicile.

2. A current vehicle registration or a valid salvage or dismantle certificate of title.

3. Evidence that the vehicle is in compliance with the financial responsibility requirements of chapter 9, article 4 of this title.

H. The storage charges relating to the impoundment of a vehicle pursuant to this section shall be subject to a contractual agreement between the impounding agency and a towing firm for storage services pursuant to section 41-1830.51 and shall be fifteen dollars $25 for each day of storage, including any time the vehicle remains in storage after the end of the thirty-day impoundment period.

I. The immobilizing or impounding agency shall have no lien or possessory interest in a stolen vehicle if the theft was reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. The immobilizing or impounding agency shall release the vehicle to the owner or person other than the owner as identified in subsection D of this section even if the operator at the time of immobilization or impoundment has not paid all immobilization, towing, storage and administrative charges.

J. A person who enters into an agreement pursuant to subsection A, paragraph 5 of this section and who allows another person to operate the vehicle in violation of the agreement is responsible for a civil traffic violation and shall pay a civil penalty of at least two hundred fifty dollars $250.

K. A person described in subsection D, paragraph 1 of this section who violates subsection E of this section is responsible for a civil traffic violation and shall pay a civil penalty of at least two hundred fifty dollars $250.

L. For the purposes of this section, "certified ignition interlock device" has the same meaning prescribed in section 28-1301. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Section 28-3514, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE28-3514. Hearings; notice of immobilization or storage; definition

A. If a peace officer removes and either immobilizes or impounds a vehicle pursuant to section 28-3511, the immobilizing or impounding agency may provide the owner, the spouse of the owner and any other person providing indicia of ownership or other interest in the vehicle immediately before the immobilization or impoundment with the opportunity for an immobilization or poststorage hearing to determine the validity of the immobilization or storage or consider any mitigating circumstances relating to the immobilization or storage or release of the vehicle before the end of the thirty day immobilization or impoundment period. If the immobilizing or impounding agency provides the opportunity for an immobilization or poststorage hearing, the immobilizing or impounding agency shall conduct the hearing in accordance with any of the following:

1. In the immobilizing or impounding agency's jurisdiction.

2. Telephonically.

3. Pursuant to procedures prescribed by the immobilizing or impounding agency to transfer the authority to conduct the immobilization or poststorage hearing to a law enforcement agency in the jurisdiction in which the owner, the spouse of the owner, the owner's agent or any person identified in the department's record as having an interest in the vehicle immediately before the immobilization or impoundment resides.

B. If the immobilizing or impounding agency does not provide an opportunity for an immobilization or poststorage hearing, a justice court shall conduct the immobilization or poststorage hearing. If an immobilization or poststorage hearing is conducted by a justice court, the immobilizing or impounding agency shall appear and show evidence. Immobilization or poststorage hearings conducted by a justice court shall be considered as civil filings for the purposes of judicial productivity credits.

C. Within three business days after immobilization or impoundment, excluding weekends and holidays, the immobilizing or impounding agency shall send a notice of storage by first class mail to each person, other than the owner, identified on the department's record as having an interest in the vehicle or who has provided the department with indicia of ownership or other interest in the vehicle that exists immediately before the immobilization or impoundment. Service of notice of immobilization or storage is complete on mailing. If within three business days after immobilization or impoundment, excluding weekends and holidays, the immobilizing or impounding agency fails to notify a person, other than the owner, identified on the department's record as having an interest in the vehicle immediately before the immobilization or impoundment, the immobilizing agency or the person in possession of the vehicle shall not charge any administrative fees or more than fifteen days' immobilization or impoundment when the person redeems the impounded vehicle or has the immobilization device removed from the vehicle.

D. Within three business days after immobilization or impoundment, excluding weekends and holidays, the immobilizing or impounding agency shall mail or personally deliver notice of immobilization or storage to the owner of the vehicle.

E. The notice of immobilization or storage shall include all of the following information:

1. A statement that the vehicle was immobilized or impounded.

2. The name, address and telephone number of the immobilizing or impounding agency providing the notice.

3. The name, address and telephone number of the immobilizing or impounding agency or justice court that will provide the immobilization or poststorage hearing.

4. The location of the place of storage and a description of the vehicle, including, if available, the manufacturer, model, license plate number and mileage of the vehicle.

5. A statement that in order to receive an immobilization or poststorage hearing the owner, the spouse of the owner, the owner's agent or the person identified in the department's record as having an interest in the vehicle immediately before the immobilization or impoundment, within ten days after the date on the notice, shall request an immobilization or poststorage hearing by contacting the immobilizing or impounding agency in person or in writing or by filing a request with the justice court if the impounding agency does not provide for a hearing and paying a fee equal to the fee established pursuant to section 22-281 for a small claims answer.

6. A statement that if the immobilizing or impounding agency does not provide the opportunity for an immobilization or poststorage hearing, the owner, the spouse of the owner, the owner's agent or any person identified in the department's record as having an interest in the vehicle or a person who has provided the department with indicia of ownership or other interest in the vehicle that exists immediately before the immobilization or impoundment may request that the immobilization or poststorage hearing be conducted by a justice court in the immobilizing or impounding agency's jurisdiction or the jurisdiction in which the owner, the spouse of the owner, the owner's agent or the person identified in the department's record as having an interest in the vehicle immediately before the immobilization or impoundment resides.

F. The immobilization or poststorage hearing shall be conducted by the immobilizing or impounding agency or justice court within five business days, excluding weekends and holidays, after receipt of the request.

G. Failure of the owner, the spouse of the owner or other person or the other person's agent to request an immobilization or poststorage hearing within ten days after the date on the notice prescribed in subsection E of this section or to attend a scheduled hearing satisfies the immobilization or poststorage hearing requirement.

H. The immobilizing or impounding agency employing the person who directed the immobilization or storage is responsible for the costs incurred for immobilization, towing and storage if it is determined in the immobilization or poststorage hearing that reasonable grounds for the immobilization or impoundment and storage are not established.

I. In compliance with the requirements of this section, the vehicle owner, the vehicle owner's spouse or another person who has an interest in the vehicle or who has provided the department with indicia of ownership or other interest in the vehicle that exists immediately before the immobilization or impoundment shall have an opportunity for a single poststorage hearing for the release of the vehicle by either the immobilizing or impounding agency or a justice court but not both.

J. For the purposes of this section, "indicia of ownership" includes a certificate of title, a manufacturer-issued certificate or a statement of origin or other similar document.

Sec. 4. Section 28-3515, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE28-3515. Unclaimed vehicles

If a claim has not been made for the return or possession of the vehicle by a person legally entitled to the vehicle within thirty days after a vehicle is impounded the immobilization or impoundment period pursuant to this article, the person who has possession of the vehicle shall submit an abandoned vehicle report as provided described in section 28-4838. The abandoned vehicle report shall be submitted WITHIN five days after the impoundment period. The immobilizing or impounding agency shall require the person who takes possession of a vehicle pursuant to this section to obtain a release for the vehicle from the immobilizing or impounding agency.END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Section 28-4838, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE28-4838. Report; abandoned and seized vehicles; violation; classification

A. Except as provided in section 28-3515, a person who has knowledge and custody of a vehicle that is either lost, stolen, abandoned or otherwise unclaimed, that has been seized pursuant to law or removed from the right-of-way of any highway, road, street or other public thoroughfare or other public property by order of an officer of the department of public safety, sheriff's officer or city or town police officer and that has been held for a period of ten days and a claim has not been made for the return or possession of the vehicle by a person legally entitled to the vehicle shall do all of the following within five days after the expiration of the ten day retention period:

1. Submit an electronic abandoned vehicle report to the director that is on a form prescribed by the director and that contains all of the following:

(a) A complete description of the vehicle.

(b) The vehicle license or registration number, if any.

(d) Other information the director requires.

2. Provide a completed electronic application for transfer of ownership on a form prescribed by the director.

3. Submit a vehicle identification form as prescribed by the director.

4. If applicable, submit the authorization form signed by the private property owner as prescribed in section 28-4834.

5. Pay all fees prescribed by this title.

B. Except if the vehicle inspection as prescribed in section 28-4834 is not completed within the time prescribed in subsection A of this section due to no fault of the person, a person who fails to submit the documents for the purpose of transferring ownership by the time specified in subsection A of this section:

1. Forfeits all claims for towing and storing the vehicle.

2. Is guilty of a class 2 misdemeanor.