Oklahoma Senate Bill SB341

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/2/21

Caption

Motor vehicles; allowing holding of license plates by wrecker services. Effective date.

Impact

Under SB341, wrecker operators are required to notify the Oklahoma Tax Commission within three business days after taking possession of a license plate. Vehicle owners can reclaim their plates upon full payment of the charges as indicated in the statement provided by the wrecker operator. This provision is intended to formalize the financial responsibilities associated with impounded vehicles, making it harder for owners to evade fees and taxes linked to their vehicles.

Summary

Senate Bill 341 relates to motor vehicles and introduces regulations allowing licensed wrecker operators to take possession of impounded vehicle license plates. The bill mandates that when a wrecker operator tows and stores a vehicle, they can take the vehicle's license plate and must provide the vehicle owner with a statement detailing the charges owed for towing and storage. This legislative measure aims to streamline the management of impounded vehicles and ensures that the process is documented and communicated to the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Contention

The bill may lead to contention regarding its enforcement and the mechanics of the newly created database that wrecker services and tag agents will utilize. Specifically, there may be concerns about how effectively the Tax Commission can manage and enforce the stop flag designation that prevents the issuance of new tags if there are outstanding charges. Critics may view this as a way of restricting vehicle owners' rights and could raise discussions about the burden it places on citizens who may find themselves unable to pay the required fees in a timely manner.