07 LC 14 9700S
(SCS)
Senate
Bill 251
By:
Senator Thompson of the 5th
AS
PASSED SENATE
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Article 1 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles, so as
to require the establishment by the Department of Revenue of an Internet website
for stolen and towed motor vehicles; to require that certain persons shall post
the vehicle identification numbers and license plate numbers of certain motor
vehicles that are towed or reported stolen; to provide for penalties for failing
to post such information; to provide for certain required features of such
website; to require law enforcement agencies in this state to post the vehicle
identification numbers and license plate numbers of stolen vehicles on such
website; to provide for enforcement by the Department of Revenue; to provide for
the promulgation of rules and regulations; to provide for related matters; to
repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Article
1 of Chapter 2 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating
to the registration and licensing of motor vehicles, is amended by adding a new
Code Section 40-2-11 to read as follows:
"40-2-11.
(a)
The Department of Revenue shall establish an Internet website for the purpose of
posting the vehicle identification numbers and license plate numbers of motor
vehicles that are towed without the knowledge or consent of the owner or
operator of such vehicle and vehicles that have been reported as stolen to law
enforcement authorities in this state. Such website shall display the vehicle
identification number and license plate number of each such vehicle that was
towed without the knowledge or consent of the owner or operator of such vehicle
along with a notation of the location where such vehicle is stored and a contact
number for such storage facility. Such website shall also display the vehicle
identification number and license plate number of each vehicle that has been
reported as being stolen to law enforcement authorities in this state with a
notation that such vehicle has been reported as being stolen. Such website
shall be designed in a manner and contain other such criteria as may be
determined by the Department of Revenue to make such website useful for the
public. Such website shall be accessible for viewing by the
public.
(b)(1)
Each tow truck and wrecker operator in this state shall, within 12 hours of
towing a motor vehicle without the knowledge or consent of the owner or operator
of such motor vehicle, enter or cause to be posted on the website established
under subsection (a) of this Code section the vehicle identification number and
license plate number of such vehicle and a notation of the location where such
vehicle is stored and a contact number for such storage facility.
(2)
The operator of any storage facility or repair shop in which a vehicle is
stored:
(A)
After such vehicle has been towed without the knowledge or consent of the owner
or operator of such vehicle; or
(B)
After such vehicle has been reported as stolen to law enforcement authorities in
this state
shall,
within 12 hours of such vehicle being towed to such location, verify that the
information required under this Code section has been timely entered on the
website established under subsection (a) of this Code section. In the event
such information has not been entered, the operator shall enter or cause to be
posted on the website the required information within 24 hours of such vehicle
being towed to such location.
(c)
Each tow truck or wrecker operator or operator of a storage facility or repair
shop who is required to post the information required by subsection (b) of this
Code section but who fails timely to post or cause to be posted such information
shall be subject to a civil penalty in the amount of $1,000.00 for each such
violation. Additionally, any individual who is required to post the information
required by subsection (b) of this Code section but who fails timely to post or
cause to be posted such information shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon
conviction thereof, shall be punished as for a misdemeanor, shall not be
entitled to any storage fees, shall not be eligible to contract with or serve on
a rotation list providing wrecker services for this state or any political
subdivision thereof, and shall not be licensed by any municipal authority to
provide removal of improperly parked cars under Code Section
44-1-13.
(d)
Each law enforcement agency in this state receiving a report of a stolen motor
vehicle shall post or cause to be posted on the website established under
subsection (a) of this Code section the vehicle identification numbers and
license plate numbers of such motor vehicle.
(e)
Any person who, without authorization, tampers with such website or in any
manner interferes with such website shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of a high
and aggravated nature.
(f)
The Department of Revenue shall be authorized to promulgate such rules and
regulations as it deems necessary to implement the provisions of this Code
section."
SECTION
2.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.