SB 1168
Initials JB Page 1 Transportation & Infrastructure
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-sixth Legislature
Second Regular Session
Senate: TTMC DPA/SE 6-1-0-0 | 3
rd
Read 16-12-2-0
SB 1168: ADOT; reimbursement
S/E: abandoned vehicle fee; cap
Sponsor: Senator Farnsworth, LD 10
Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure
Summary of the Strike-Everything Amendment to SB1168
Overview
Prohibits the abandoned vehicle fee from being more than $400 and increases the partial
reimbursement towing companies receive for towing abandoned vehicles to 25% of the fee.
History
The owner of record of a vehicle that is abandoned is liable to the Arizona Department of
Transportation (ADOT) for the transfer of ownership or disposal of the vehicle in an amount
that is prescribed by the Director of ADOT in rule. (A.R.S. § 28-4802).
The abandoned vehicle fee for the transfer of ownership or disposal of an abandoned vehicle
is $500 if the vehicle was: 1) abandoned and junked on private property or public land or on
or within the right-of-way of a street or highway; 2) abandoned on private property or public
land or on or within the right-of-way of a street or highway and ADOT issues a transfer of
ownership; or 3) abandoned and junked and towed with the written permission of the State
Land Commissioner from state trust land located within the boundaries of an incorporated
city or town (A.C.C. R17-1-205).
The Abandoned Vehicle Fund (Fund) consists of monies collected from fees charged to owners
of towed abandoned, seized or junk vehicles and any other monies collected relating to
abandoned, seized or junk vehicles. Fund monies are deposited into the State Highway Fund
except for the fund monies used to partially reimburse registered towing companies (A.R.S.
§ 28-4804).
Before distributing collected abandoned vehicle fees or Vehicle License Tax monies ADOT
must deposit 20% of abandoned vehicle fees into the Fund. The Director of ADOT, in
consultation with registered towing companies, must establish a monthly payment system to
reimburse registered towing companies that are entitled to partial reimbursement.
If a vehicle is abandoned and a fee is collected by ADOT the towing company that towed the
vehicle is entitled to receive 20% of the collected fee as a partial reimbursement of the costs
incurred by the towing company. The towing company is required to register with the State's
Procurement Office to qualify for the partial reimbursement. (A.R.S. §§ 28-4805, 2806)
SB 1168
Initials JB Page 2 Transportation & Infrastructure
Provisions
1. Declares that the abandoned vehicle fee may not exceed $400 for vehicles abandoned on
private property, public land, within the right-of-way of a street or highway or on state
trust land located within an incorporated city or town. (Sec. 1)
2. Increases:
a) the percentage of abandoned vehicle fees deposited into the Fund from 20% to 25%;
and
b) the partial reimbursement towing companies receive after towing an abandoned
vehicle from 20% to 25% of the abandoned vehicle fee. (Sec. 2-3)
3. Makes technical changes. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note