Assigned to TAT AS PASSED BY COW
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fifth Legislature, Second Regular Session
AMENDED
FACT SHEET FOR S.B. 1702
impounds; release; owners; spouse; notice
Purpose
Prescribes requirements for an immobilization or impoundment notice (notice).
Background
A peace officer must remove and immobilize or impound a vehicle if: 1) a person is driving
a vehicle that has been revoked; 2) there is a lack of a valid driver license or permit; or 3) the
person is subject to an ignition interlock device requirement. Following the removal of a vehicle,
a law enforcement agency that employs the peace officer who removed the vehicle must enter
information regarding the vehicle incident in the Arizona Crime Information Center database
within three business days (A.R.S. § 28-3511).
A vehicle must be released by the immobilizing or impounding agency (agency) to the
registered owner if the vehicle was: 1) stolen; 2) driven by an employee of a business
establishment; 3) removed from the owner who has since obtained and presented valid licensure;
or 4) removed from the owner who has since had their driving privileges reinstated. Additionally,
a vehicle must be released to any person who is identified as an owner on Arizona Department of
Transportation (ADOT) records at the time of immobilization or impoundment, if the vehicle is a
commercial motor vehicle, a street sweeper or heavy equipment and the person was not the driver
of the vehicle at the time of removal (A.R.S. § 28-3512).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Requires the agency to prominently display a notice in each of its offices that clearly states the
outlined requirements relating to the release of a vehicle to the spouse of a registered owner or
any person who is identified as an owner of the vehicle at the time of removal.
2. Requires a notice to be written and include a statement as to how the owner, the owner's spouse,
the owner's agent or a person identified in ADOT's record as having an interest in the vehicle
immediately before the immobilization or impoundment may retrieve the vehicle.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
FACT SHEET – Amended
S.B. 1702
Page 2
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
• Removes the reduction in the length of time in which an agency is required to give written
notice of immobilization or impoundment to the owner of the vehicle.
Senate Action
TAT 2/14/22 DP 9-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 24, 2022
RA/sr