Sec. 683.053. DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE NOTICE. (a) If an application is submitted to sell, give away, or dispose of an abandoned motor vehicle under Section 683.051(1)(B), the department shall:

(1) send notice to any owners and lienholders of the abandoned motor vehicle identified in the department's automated registration and titling system; or

(2) if the department has no record of owners or lienholders for the abandoned motor vehicle, publish notice of abandonment on the department's website.

(b) The notice required by Subsection (a) must include:

(1) the year, make, model, body style, and vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle;

(2) the physical location of the motor vehicle;

(3) a statement:

(A) that an application has been submitted to the department for authorization to dispose of the motor vehicle to a motor vehicle demolisher;

(B) informing the motor vehicle's owners or lienholders of the right to claim the motor vehicle not later than the 20th day after the date the notice is sent or published; and

(C) that failure to claim the motor vehicle and notify the department that the vehicle has been claimed before the 21st day after the date the notice is sent or published:

(i) waives a person's rights, title, and interest in the motor vehicle; and

(ii) is considered consent for the department to issue to the applicant a certificate of authority under Section 683.054 to dispose of the motor vehicle to a motor vehicle demolisher; and

(4) the date the notice was sent or published.

(c) The department is not required to send or publish notice for an application submitted for a motor vehicle described by Section 683.051(1)(A) or (2).

(d) Notice sent under Subsection (a)(1) must be sent by first class mail.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1061 (H.B. 3131), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.