Oklahoma Senate Bill SB685

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/2/21

Caption

Motor vehicles; allowing possession of impounded vehicle tags. Effective date.

Impact

The legislation could have significant implications for state laws pertaining to vehicle registration and towing practices. By enabling wrecker operators to manage license plate possession more effectively, it aims to ensure that fees associated with the towing and storage of vehicles are collected before new registrations are issued. In turn, this could help the state in maintaining revenue from vehicle registration fees, while also minimizing instances of unpaid service charges. Moreover, it establishes a system for the Tax Commission to oversee and monitor these transactions, reinforcing regulatory compliance in vehicle registration processes.

Summary

Senate Bill 685 allows licensed wrecker operators in Oklahoma to take possession of the license plates of impounded vehicles. The bill outlines that once a wrecker operator has lawfully towed and stored a vehicle, they can assume ownership of the vehicle's license plate. The operator is required to issue a statement reflecting the charges owed by the vehicle owner and must inform the Oklahoma Tax Commission of the license plate's possession within three business days. This mechanism seeks to streamline the retrieval process for license plates after payment of due charges.

Contention

Notable points of contention around SB685 may arise concerning the balance of authority between wrecker operators and vehicle owners. Critics could argue that granting such extensive powers to wrecker services might lead to potential misuse, wherein operators could impose excessive fees or create hurdles for vehicle owners trying to reclaim their plates. Additionally, the stipulation that tag agents must deny issuing new or renewed tags for individuals listed in a database until all charges are cleared could disproportionately affect lower-income individuals who may already be struggling with financial obligations.