BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 560
                                                    By: Patterson
                                                    Jurisprudence
                                                          2-28-95
                                       Committee Report (Amended)
BACKGROUND

Currently, a vehicle storage facility has no legal recourse for the
disposal of abandoned vehicles.  In the event that the police
department does not auction abandoned motor vehicles under the
litter abatement act, the vehicle storage facility needs to have
legal means by which to dispose of the vehicles.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 560 sets forth procedures for the disposal of
abandoned vehicles.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or
agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Sections 5.05(b) and (d), Article 4477-9a,
V.T.C.S., as follows:

     (b)  Provides that a garagekeeper who fails to report the
     possession of an abandoned vehicle to the police department
     within seven days, rather than 48 hours, after the date it
     becomes abandoned may no longer claim reimbursement for
     storage of the vehicle.
     
     (d)  Prohibits the police department from taking a vehicle
     into custody and authorizes a storage facility to dispose of
     a vehicle as provided by Chapter 70, Property Code, if the
     police department does not take the vehicle into custody
     before the 31st day after the date the notice is sent under
     Subsection (c).
     
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date:  September 1, 1995.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.