SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 1 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SENATE FLOOR VERSION February 9, 2022 SENATE BILL NO. 1243 By: Quinn An Act relating to motor vehicles; amending 47 O.S. 2021, Section 1105, which relates t o certificates of title; exempting certain vehicle title transfers from certain requirements; amending 47 O.S. 2021, Section 1107, which relates to the sale or transfer of ownership of a vehicle; authorizing the use of an electronic signature on documents required for the transfer of ownership of a vehicle resulting from the settlement of a total loss claim; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 47 O .S. 2021, Section 1105, is amended to read as follows: Section 1105. A. As used in the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act: 1. “Salvage vehicle” means any vehicle which is within the last ten (10) model years and which has been dama ged by collision or other occurrence to the extent t hat the cost of repairing the vehicle for safe operation on the highway exceeds sixty percent (60%) of its fair market value, as defined by Section 1111 of this title, immediately prior to the damage. Fo r purposes of this section, actual repair costs shal l only include labor and parts for SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 2 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 actual damage to the suspension, motor, transmission, frame or unibody and designated structural components; 2. “Rebuilt vehicle” means any salvage vehicle which has be en rebuilt and inspected for the purpose of registra tion and title; 3. “Flood-damaged vehicle” means a salvage or rebuilt vehicle which was damaged by floodin g or a vehicle which was submerged at a level to or above the dashboard of the vehicle and on whi ch an amount of loss was paid by the insurer; 4. “Unrecovered-theft vehicle” means a vehicle which has been stolen and not yet recovered; 5. “Recovered-theft vehicle” means a vehicle, including a salvage or rebuilt vehicle, which was recovered from a the ft; and 6. “Junked vehicle” means any vehicle which is incapable of operation or use on the hi ghway, has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap and has an eighty percent (80%) loss in fair market value. B. The owner of every vehicle in this state shall possess a certificate of title as proof of ownership of such vehicle, except those vehicles registered pursuant to Section 1120 of this title and trailers registered pursuant to Section 1133 of this title, previously titled by anyone in anothe r state and engaged in interstate commerce, and exce pt as provided in subsection M of this section. Except for owners that possess an agricultural exemption permit pursuant to Section 1358.1 of Title 68 of the Oklahoma SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 3 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Statutes, the owner of an all -terrain vehicle or a motorcycle used exclusively off roads or highways in this state which is purchas ed or the ownership of which is transferred on or after July 1, 2005, and the owner of a utility vehicle used exclusively off roads and highways in this state wh ich is purchased or the ownership of which is transferred on or after July 1, 2008, shall posse ss a certificate of title as proof of ownership. Any person pos sessing an agricultural exemption permit and owning an all -terrain vehicle or a motorcycle used exclusively off roads or highways in this state which is purchased or the ownership of which is transferred on or after July 1, 2008, shall possess a certificat e of title as proof of ownership. Upon receipt of proper application information by such owner, the Oklahoma Tax Commission shall issue an original or transfer certificate of title. Until Ju ly 1, 2008, any security interest in an all-terrain vehicle that attached and was perfected before July 1, 2005, and that has not otherwise terminated shall remain perfected, and shall take priority over any subse quently perfected security interest in the same all-terrain vehicle, notwithstanding that a certificate of title may have been issued with respect to the same all -terrain vehicle on or after July 1, 2005, and that a lien may have been recorded on said cert ificate of title. There shall be eight typ es of certificates of title: SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 4 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1. Original title for any motor ve hicle which is not a remanufactured, salvage, unrecovered -theft, rebuilt, rebodied or junked vehicle; 2. Salvage title for any motor vehicle which i s a salvage vehicle or is specified as a sa lvage vehicle or the equivalent thereof on a certificate of titl e from another state; 3. Rebuilt title for any motor vehicle which is a rebuilt vehicle; 4. Junked title for any motor vehicle which is a junked ve hicle or is specified as a junked vehicle o r the equivalent thereof on a certificate of title from another state; 5. Classic title for any motor vehicle, except a junked vehicle, which is twenty -five (25) model years or older; 6. Remanufactured title for any vehicle which is a remanufactured vehicle; 7. Unrecovered-theft title for any motor vehicle which has been stolen and not recovered; and 8. Rebodied title for any motor vehicle which is a rebodied vehicle. Application for a certificate of title, whe ther the initial certificate of title or a duplicate, may be made to the Tax Commission or any motor licens e agent. When application is made with a motor license agent, the application information shall be transmitted either electronically or by mail to t he Tax Commission SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 5 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 by the motor license agen t. If the application information is transmitted electronically , the motor license agent shall forward the required application along with evidence of ownership , where required, by mail. Where the transmission o f application information cannot be perform ed electronically, the Tax Commission is authorized to provide p ostage paid envelopes to motor license agents for the purpose of mailing the application along wi th evidence of ownership, where required. The Tax C ommission shall upon receipt of proper appl ication information issue an Oklahoma certificate of title. The certificates may be mailed to the applicant. Upon issuance of a certificate of title, the Tax Commission shall provide the appropriate motor licens e agent with confirmation of such issuance. C. 1. The application for certificate of title shall be upon a blank form furnished by the Tax Commission, containing: a. a full description of the vehicle, b. the manufacturer’s serial or other identification number, c. the motor number and the date on which first sold by the manufacturer or dealer to the owner, d. any distinguishing marks, e. a statement of the applicant ’s source of title, f. any security interest upon the vehicle, and SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 6 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 g. such other informatio n as the Tax Commission may require. 2. The application for a certificate of title for a vehicle which is within the last seven (7) model years shall require a declaration as to whether the vehicle has b een damaged by collision or other occurrence and whe ther the vehicle has been recovered from theft and the extent of the damage to the vehicle. The declaratio n shall be made by the owner of a vehicle if: a. the vehicle has been damaged or stolen, b. the owner did or did not receive any payment for the loss from an insurer, or c. the vehicle is titled or registered in a state that does not classify the vehicle o r brand the title because of damage to or loss of the vehicle similar to the classifications or b rands utilized by this state. The declaration shall be based upon the best information and knowledge of the owner and shall be in addition to the requirements specified in paragraph 1 of this subsection. The Tax Commission shall not issue a certificate of title for a vehicle which is subject to the provisi ons of this paragraph without the required declaration, completed and signed by the owner of the vehicle. Upon receipt of an application without the properly completed declaration, the Tax Commission sha ll return the application to the applicant with notice that the title may not be issued without the SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 7 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 required declaration. Nothing in this paragraph shall proh ibit the Tax Commission from recognizing the type of or brand on a title or other ownership docum ent issued by another state or the inspection conducted in another state and issuing the approp riate certificate of title for the vehicle. 3. The certificate of title shall have the following security features: a. intaglio printing or security thread, wit h or without watermark, b. latent images, c. fluorescent inks, d. micro print, e. void background, and f. color coding. 4. Each title issued pursuant to the p rovisions of the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act shall be color coded as determined by the Tax Commission. 5. The certificate of title shall be of such size and design and color as the Tax Commission may direct pursuant to the provisions of this section. The title shall be on colored paper or other material as designated by the Tax Com mission and be of such intensity or hue as will allo w easy identification as to whether the title is an original title, a salvage title, a rebuilt title, remanufactured title, rebodied title or a junked title. The type of SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 8 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 title shall be identified on the front of the certificate of title. The original title, rebuilt title, remanufactured title, an unrecovered-theft title, rebodied title or classic title shall be identified by the word “Original”, “Rebuilt”, “Remanufactured”, “Unrecovered Theft”, “Rebodied” or “Classic” printed in the upper right quadrant of the certificate of title, in the space wh ich is currently captioned “type of title”. A rebodied title sh all also identify on the front of the title the year, make and model of the originally manufactur ed vehicle which has been rebodied and display a notation that reads as follows: “This vehicle has been assembled with new major components licensed by the ori ginal manufacturer”. D. 1. To obtain an original certificate of title for a vehicle that is being registered for the first time in this state which has not been previously registered in any other state, the applicant shall be required to deliver, as evid ence of ownership, a manufacturer’s certificate of origin properly assigned by the manufacturer, distributor, or dealer licensed in this or any other state shown thereon to be the last transfe ree to the applicant upon a form to be prescribed and approved b y the Tax Commission. A manufacturer’s certificate of origin shall contain: a. the manufacturer’s serial or other identification number, b. date on which first sold by the manufacturer to the dealer, SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 9 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 c. any distinguishing marks including model and the yea r same was made, d. a statement of any security interests upon the vehicle, and e. such other information as the Tax Commission may require. 2. The manufacturer’s certificate of origin shall have the following security features: a. intaglio printing or se curity thread, with or without watermark, b. latent images, c. fluorescent inks, d. micro print, and e. void background. E. In the absence of a deal er’s or manufacturer’s number, the Tax Commission may assign such identifying number to the vehicle, which shall be permanently stamped, burned or pressed or attached into the vehicle, and a certificate o f title shall be delivered to the applicant upon pay ment of all fees and taxes, and the remaini ng copies shall be permanently filed and indexed by the Tax Comm ission. The Tax Commission shall assign an identifying number to any rebuilt vehicle if the vehicle identification number displayed on the rebuilt vehicle does not accurately describe the veh icle as rebuilt. The motor license agent, at the time of inspec tion of the rebuilt SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 10 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 vehicle pursuant to Section 1111 of this title, shall identify the make, model, and year for the body to accurately describe the rebuilt vehicle. At the time of the inspec tion, an appropriate identifying number shall be permanently sta mped, burned, pressed, or attached on the rebuilt vehicle. The assigned identifying number shall be recorded on the certificate of title for the reb uilt vehicle. The dealer ’s or manufacturer’s vehicle identification number on the rebuilt vehicle shall be preserved in the computer files of the Tax Commission for at least five (5) years. F. When registering for the first time in this state a vehicle which was not originally manufactured for sa le in the United States, to obtain a certificate of title, the T ax Commission shall require the applicant to deliver: 1. As evidence of ownership, if the vehicl e has not previously been titled in the United State s, the documents constituting valid proof of ownership in the country in which the vehicle was originally purchased, together with a notarized translation of any such documents; and 2. As evidence of com pliance with federal law, copies of the bond release letters for the vehicle issued by the Unit ed States Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Transportation, together with a receipt issued by the Internal Revenue Service indi cating that the applicable federal gas guzzler tax has been paid. SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 11 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 The Tax Commission shall not issue a certificate of title for a vehicle which is subject to t he provisions of this paragraph without the required documentation from agencies of the United St ates and evidence of ownership. Upon receipt of an application without the required documentation, the Tax Commission shall return the application to the appl icant with notice that the certificate of title may not be issued without the required documentat ion. Nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit the T ax Commission from issuing certificates of title for antique or classic vehicles not driven upon the public streets, roads, or highways, for mini -trucks registered pursuant to Section 1151.3 of this title , or for medium- speed electric vehicles. G. When registering in this state a vehicle which was titled in another state and which title contains the name of a secured party on the face of the other state certificate of title, or such state certificate is being held by the secured party in that state or any other state, the Tax Commission or the moto r license agent shall complete a lien entry form as prescribed b y the Tax Commission. The owner of such vehicle shall file an affidavit with the Tax Commission or the motor license agent stating that title to the vehicle is being held by a secured party, has not been issued pursuant to the laws of the state where titl ed, and that there is an existing lien or encumbrance on the vehicle. The current name and address of the secured party or lienholder shall also be stated in SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 12 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the affidavit. The form of the a ffidavit shall be prescribed by the Tax Commission and contain a ny other information deemed necessary by the Tax Commission. A statement of the lien or encumbra nce shall be included on the Oklahoma certificate of title and the lien or encumbrance shall be deemed continuously perfected as though it had been perfected pursuant to Section 1110 of this title. For completing the lien entry form and recording the secu rity interest on the certificate of title, the Tax C ommission or the motor license agent shall collect a fee of Three Dollars ($3.00) which shall be in addition to other fees provided by the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act. The fee, if colle cted by the motor license agent pursuant to this sub section, shall be retained by the motor lic ense agent. H. The charge for each certificate of title issued, except for junked titles as defined in paragraph 4 of subsection B of this section, shall be Ele ven Dollars ($11.00), which charge shall be in addition to any other fees or taxes imposed by l aw for such vehicle. One Dollar ($1.00) of each such charge sha ll be deposited in the Oklahoma Tax Commission Reimbursement Fund. However, the charge shall not apply to any vehicle which is to be registered in t his state pursuant to the provisions of Sec tion 1120 or 1133 of this title and which was registered in anot her state at least sixty (60) days prior to the time it is required to be registered in this state. When an insurer requests a salvage or junk title in the name SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 13 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 of the insurer resulting from the settlement of a total loss claim and upon presentation of ap propriate proof of loss documentation as required by the Commission, such transfer may be process ed as one title transaction, without first requiring issuance of a replacement certificate of title in the name of the vehicle owner. The fee shall be Twenty-two Dollars ($22.00). Two Dollars ($2.00) of this fee shall be deposited in the Oklahoma Tax Com mission Reimbursement Fund. I. The vehicle identifi cation number of a junked vehicle shall be preserved in the computer files of the Tax Commission for a period of not less than five (5) years. The charge of junked titles as defined in paragraph 4 of sub section B of this section shall be Four Dollars ($4.00). The fee remitted to the Tax Commissio n shall be deposited in the Oklahoma Tax Commission Reimbursemen t Fund. J. If a vehicle is sold to a resident of another state destroyed, dismantled, or ceases to be used as a vehicle, the owner shall immediately notify the Tax Commission. Absent evidenc e to the contrary, failure to notify the Tax Commission shall be prima facie evidence that the vehicle has been in continuous operation in this state. K. If a vehicle is stolen, the owner shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency. I mmediately after receiving such notification, the law enforcemen t agency shall notify the Tax Commission. SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 14 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 L. Except for all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles a nd motorcycles used exclusively for off -road use, no title for an out- of-state vehicle, except any commercial truck or truck-tractor registered pursuant to Sec tion 1120 of this title which is engaged in interstate commerce or any trailer or semitrailer reg istered pursuant to Section 1133 of this title which is engaged in interstate commerce, shall b e issued without an inspection of such vehicle and payment of a fee of Four Dollars ($4.00) for such inspection; provided, the Tax Commission may enter into reci procal agreements with other states for such inspect ions to be performed at locations outside the boundaries of this state for vehicles which: 1. Are offered for sale at auction; 2. Have been solely used as vehicles for rent under the ownership of a licensed motor vehicle dealer or a person engaged in the business of renting motor vehicles; or 3. Have not been registered in this or any other state for more than one (1) year. The inspection shall include a comparison of the vehicle identification number o n the vehicle with the number recorded on the ownership records and the recording of the actual odometer reading on the vehicle. The four -dollar fee shall be collected by the motor license agent or Tax Commission when the title is issued. The motor license agent shall retain Two Dollars ($2.00). The rema ining Two SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 15 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Dollars ($2.00) shall be deposite d in the Oklahoma Tax Commission Reimbursement Fund. The Tax Commission may allow the inspection to be performed at a location out-of-state by another state ’s department of motor vehicles or state police. M. No title for any out-of-state vehicle offered f or sale at salvage pools, salvage disposal sales, or an auction, or by a dealer or a licensed automotive dismantler and parts recycler, shall be issued without an inspection to compare the vehicle identification number on the vehicle with the number record ed on the ownership record and to record the actual odometer rea ding on the vehicle. On or after the effective date of this act, vehicles that require a transfer to a salvage title or junked title resulting from a n insurance claim that utilizes an out-of-state or tribal title shall be exempt from the requirements of this subsection. Upon request of the seller, person or entity conducting an auction, dealer or licensed dismantler, the inspection shall be conducted a t the location or place of business of th e sale, auction, dealer, or the dismantler. The inspection shall be conducted by any motor license agent or a duly authorized employee thereof; provided, if the vehicle identification number on the vehicle offered for sale at salvage pools, salvage dispos al sales or a classic or antique auction does not match the number recorded on the ownership record, the inspection may be conducted at the location of or place o f SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 16 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 business of such sale or auction by any state, coun ty or city law enforcement officer. The Tax Commission may enter into reciprocal agreements with other states for such inspections to be performed at locations outside the boundaries of this state for v ehicles which: 1. Are offered for sale at auction; 2. Have been solely used as vehicles for rent under the ownership of a licensed motor vehicle dealer or a person engaged in the business of renting motor vehicles; or 3. Have not been registered in this or any other state for more than one (1) year. The inspection shall be certified upon forms p rescribed by the Tax Commission. The name and other identi fication of the authorized person conducting the inspection shall be legibly printed or typed on the form. Prior to any inspection by any employee of a mot or license agent, the motor license agent shall notify the Tax Commission of the name and any other identification information requested by the Tax Commission of the authorized person. A signature specimen of the authorized person shall be submitted to the Tax Commission by the employing motor l icense agent. If the authorization to inspect vehicles is withdrawn or the employer - employee relationship is terminated, the motor license agent, immediately, shall notify the Tax Commission and return any remaining inspection forms to the Tax Commission. The fee for the inspection shall be Four Dollars ($4.00). The motor license agent SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 17 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 shall retain Three Dollars ($3.00) of the fee. Fees received by a motor license agent or an authorized employee thereof shall be handled and accounted for in the manner a s prescribed by law for any other fees paid to or received by a motor license agent. Out -of- state vehicles brought into this state by a person licensed in another state to sell new or used vehicles to be sold withi n this state at a motor vehicle auction w hich is limited to dealer-to- dealer transactions shall not be required to be inspected, unless the vehicle is purchased by an Oklahoma dealer. Any person license d in another state to sell new or used motor vehicles , who offers a motor vehicle for sale wit hin this state at a motor vehicle auction which is limited to dealer-to-dealer transactions, shall not be within the definition of “owner” in Section 1102 of this title, for purposes of Section 1101 et seq. of this title. N. A licensed motor vehicle deale r, upon payment of a fee of Fifteen Dollars ($15.00), may r eassign an out-of-state certificate of title to a used motor vehicle provided such dealer obtains the appropriate inspection form required by either subsect ion L or M of this section and attaches t he form to the out-of-state certificate of title. Motor license agents shall be allowed to retain Two Dollars and twenty-five cents ($2.25) of the fee plus an ad ditional Two Dollars ($2.00) or Three Dollars ($3.00) as provided in subsections L and M of th is section for performance of the inspection. Two Dollars ($2.00) of the fee shall be deposited in SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 18 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the Tax Commission Reimbursement Fund. An out -of-state vehicle which has been rebuilt shall be inspected pursuant to the provisions of Section 1111 of this title. The Tax Commission shall train motor license agents in interpreting vehicle identification numbers to assure that it accurately describes the vehicle and to detect rollback or alteration of the odometer. F ailure of a motor license agent to inspect the vehicle and make the required notations shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the first offense and Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the second offense or subsequent offense, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six (6) month s, or by both such fine and imprisonment. O. The ownership of any unrecovered vehicle which has been declared a total loss by an insurer because of theft s hall be transferred to the insurer by an unrecovered-theft vehicle title; provided, the ownership of any such vehicle which has been declared a total loss by an insurer licensed by the Insurance Departme nt of the State of Oklahoma and maintaining a multi -state motor vehicle salvage processing cen ter in this state shall be transferred to the insurer by a salvage or an unrecovered -theft title without the requirement of a visual inspection of the vehicle ide ntification number by the insurer. Upon recovery of the vehicle, the ownership shall be transferred by an original title, salvage title, or junked SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 19 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 title, as may be appropriate based upon an estimate of the amount of loss submitted by the insurer. P. When an insurance company makes a total loss settlement o n a total loss vehicle and the insurance company or a salvage pool authorized by the insurance compa ny is unable to obtain the properly endorsed certificate of ownership or other evidence of ownership acceptable to the Oklahoma Tax Commission within thirty (30) days following acceptance by the ow ner of an offer of an amount in settlement of a total loss, that insurance company or salvage pool, on a form provided by the Oklahoma Tax Commission and signed u nder penalty of perjury, may request the Oklahoma Tax Commission to issue the applicable salva ge title for the vehicle. The request shall include information declaring that the requester has made at least two written attempts to obtain the certificate of ownership or other acceptable evidence of title. Q. The owner of any vehicle which is incapab le of operation or use on the public roads and has no resal e value, except as parts, scrap or junk, may deliver the certificate of title to the vehicle to the Tax Commission for cancellation. Upon verification that any perfected lien against the vehicle h as been released, the certificate of title shall be cancele d without any fee, charge, or cost required from the owner. The vehicle identification numbers on the certificates of title shall be preserved in the compu ter files of the Tax Commission for at le ast five (5) years from the date of SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 20 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 cancellation of the cer tificate of title. The Tax Commission shall prescribe and provide an affidavit form to be completed by the owner of any vehicle for which the certificate o f title is canceled. No title or registration shall subsequently be issued for a vehicle for which the certificate of title has been surrendered pursuant to this subsection. The Tax Commission shall pr escribe a form for the transfer of ownership of a veh icle for which the certificate of title has been canceled. R. The owner of a vehicle which is not w ithin the last ten (10) model years, not roadworthy and not capable of repair for operation or use on the roads and highways, or a vehicle which is being so ld to a scrap metal dealer pursuant to Se ction 11-92 of Title 2 of the Oklahoma Statutes, shall tran sfer the vehicle only upon a certificate of ownership prescribed by the Tax Commission, if the certificate of title to the vehicle is lost, has been cancele d, or otherwise not available. The presc ribed ownership form shall include the names and addresses of the buyer and seller, the driver license number or social security number of the seller, the make an d model of the vehicle, and the public vehicle identi fication number. If there is no public v ehicle identification number, the vehicle shall be inspected by a law enforcement officer to verify the absence of the number on the vehicle and the prescribed ow nership form shall include a signed statement, by suc h officer, verifying the absence of the n umber. SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 21 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 The certificate of ownership shall be completed in t riplicate. The buyer and seller shall each retain a copy. Within thirty (30) days of the transaction, the seller shall submit one copy to the Tax Commission or a motor license agent accompanied w ith a fee of Four Dollars ($4.00). One Dollar ($1.00) shal l be retained by the motor license agent and Three Dollars ($3.00) shall be deposited in the Oklahoma Tax Commission Reimbursement Fund in the State Treasur y. Upon receipt of the certificate, the T ax Commission shall verify that any perfected lien upon the vehicle has been released. If the lien is not released, the Tax Commission shall mail notice of the transfer to the lienholder at the lienholder ’s last-known address. If a certificate of title h as been issued, it shall be canceled and the vehicle identification number shall be preserved in the computer of the Tax Commission for at least five (5) years. The buyer of the vehicle may not be sued and shall no t be liable for monetary damages to the lienholder, however, the vehicle shall be subject to a valid repossession by a lienholder. S. The Tax Commission shall notify the chief administrative officer of the agency or department responsible for issuing moto r vehicle certificates of title in each s tate in the United States of the types of motor vehicle cer tificate of title effective in Oklahoma on and after January 1, 1989. T. When registering for the firs t time in this state a remanufactured vehicle which h as not been registered in any other SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 22 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 state since its remanufacture, before issuing a certificate of title, the Tax Commission shall require the applicant to deliver a statement of origin from the remanufa cturer. U. If a vehicle is sold to a foreign buyer p ursuant to the provisions of the Automoti ve Dismantlers and Parts Recycler Act, the licensed seller shall stamp the title with: “EXPORT ONLY. NONTRANSFERABLE IN THE UNITED STATES. ” The licensed seller shall supply the Tax Commission the title number, th e vehicle identification number and the f oreign buyer’s bid identification number on a form prescrib ed by the Tax Commission. The Tax Commission shall cancel the title, and the vehicle identification number shall be preserved in the computer files of the Tax Commission for a period of not less than five (5) years. V. The Tax Commission shall not be con sidered a necessary party to any lawsuit which is instigated for the purpose of determining ownership of a vehicle, wherein the Tax Commission ’s only involvement would be to issue title, and the co urt shall issue an order dismissing the Tax Commission from the pending action. In the event no other party or lienholder can be identified as to ownership or claim, the Tax Commission shall accept an affidavit of ownership from the party claiming ownersh ip and issue proper title thereon. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 1107, is amended to read as follows: SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 23 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Section 1107. A. In the event of the sale or transfer of the ownership of a vehicle for which a certificate of t itle has been issued as provided by Section 1105 of this title, the holder of such certificate shall endorse on the back of same a compl ete assignment thereof with warranty of title in form printed thereon with a statement of all liens or encumbrances on t he vehicle, sworn to before a notary public or some other person authorized by law to take acknowledgments, and deliver same to the purc haser or transferee at the time of d elivery to the purchaser or transferee of the vehicle; provided, a transfer of the o wnership of a vehicle to an insurer resulting from the settlement of a total l oss claim shall not require a notarized signature on the c ertificate of title. In the event that any other documents required for a transfer of the ownership of a vehicle to an insurer resulting from the settlement of a total loss claim require a notarized signature, such documents shall be permitted to be signed electronically pursuant to Section 15-109 of Title 12A of the Oklahoma Statutes in lieu of such requirement. The purchaser or transferee, unless such person is a bona fide used motor vehicle dealer licensed by this state, a retail implement dealer in con nection with the purchase or tr ansfer of off- road vehicles or a charitable organization shall, within thirty (30) days from the time of delivery to the purchaser or transferee of the vehicle, present the assigned certificate of title and the insurance security verification to the vehicl e to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 24 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 or one of its motor license agents, accompanied by a f ee of Eleven Dollars ($11.00), together with any motor vehicle excise tax or license fee that may be due, whereupon a new certificate of title, shall be issued to the a ssignee. One Dollar ($1.00) of each fee shall be deposited in the Oklahoma Tax Commissi on Reimbursement Fund. Any charitable organization utilizing the exemption authorized by this subsection shall receive training as presc ribed by the Oklahoma Used Moto r Vehicle and Parts Commission. B. A licensed dealer, a retail implement dealer in conn ection with the sale or disposal of off -road vehicles or a charitable organization shall, on selling or otherwise disposing of a vehicle, execute and deliver to the pur chaser thereof the certificate of title properly and completely reassigned. Thereupon, the purchaser of the vehicle shall present the reassigned certificate to the Commission, or a motor license agent, accompanied by a fee o f Eleven Dollars ($11.00), and any motor vehicle excise tax or license fee that may be due, whereupon a new certificate of title will be issued to the purchaser. One Dollar ($1.00) of each fee shall be deposited in the Oklahoma Tax Commission Reimbursemen t Fund. The certificate, when so assigned and returned to the Commission, together with any subsequent assignment or r eissue thereof, shall be appropriately filed and indexed so that at all times it will be possible to trace title to the vehicle designate d therein. Provided, when the ownership of any motor vehicle shall pass by operation of law, the SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 25 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 person owning the veh icle may, upon furnishing satisfactory proof to the Commission of ownership, procure a title to the motor vehicle, regardless of whether a certificate of title has ever been issued. The dealer shall execute and deliver to the purchaser bills of sale on forms prescribed by the Commission for all new vehicles sold by the dealer. On presentation of a bill of sale executed on forms prescribed by the Commission, by a manufa cturer or dealer for a new vehicle sold in this state, accompanied by remittance in the sum of Eleven Dollars ($11.00), together with any motor vehicle excise tax or license fee that may be due, a certificate of title shall b e issued in accordance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act. One Dollar ($1.00) of each fee shall be deposited in the Oklahoma Tax Commission Reimbursement Fund. For purposes of this subsection, “charitable organizatio n” shall mean any organization which is exempt from taxation pursuant to the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, 2 6 U.S.C., Section 501(c)(3) and which is registered as a charitable organization with the Oklahoma Secretary of State and the Oklahoma At torney General’s office; “off-road vehicles” means all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, and motorcycles used exclusi vely for off-road use; “retail implement dealer” means a business engaged primarily in the sale of farm tractors as defined in Section 1 -118 of this title or implements of husbandry as defined in Section 1 -125 of this title or a combination thereof. SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB1243 SFLR Page 26 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 C. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon the first conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), with impoundment of the vehicle until all taxes and fees are paid. A second or subsequent conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), with impoundment of the vehicle until all taxes and fees are paid. If a vehicle is impounded pursuant to the provisions of this section, t he vehicle shall not be released to the owner until the owner provides proof of security or an affidavit that the vehicle will not be use d on public highways or public streets, as required pursuant to Section 7 -600 et seq. of this title. Each vehicle invo lved in a violation of this section shall be considered a separate offense. SECTION 3. This act shall become effectiv e November 1, 2022. COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON RETIREMENT AND INSURANCE February 9, 2022 - DO PASS