By: Thompson of Brazoria H.B. No. 3577
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance of title to a salvage pool operator for
  certain motor vehicles.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 501.0935, Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 501.0935.  ISSUANCE OF TITLE TO SALVAGE POOL OPERATOR;
  INSURANCE COMPANIES.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter E, Chapter 501, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 501.094 to read as follows:
         Sec. 501.094.  ISSUANCE OF TITLE TO SALVAGE POOL OPERATOR;
  NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.  (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "Nonprofit organization" means an organization
  exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3),
  Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
               (2)  "Salvage pool operator" has the meaning assigned
  by Section 2302.001, Occupations Code.
         (b)  This section applies only to a salvage pool operator
  who, on request of a nonprofit organization, takes possession of a
  motor vehicle that was donated to the nonprofit and the nonprofit:
               (1)  does not possess title to the motor vehicle; and
               (2)  does not otherwise take ownership of the motor
  vehicle.
         (c)  A nonprofit organization described by Subsection (b)
  shall notify the salvage pool operator of the disposition of the
  motor vehicle and must include in the notice the name and address
  of:
               (1)  the person who donated the motor vehicle; 
               (2)  the previous owner of the motor vehicle; and
               (3)  any lienholder, if known.
         (d)  Before the 15th day after receiving notice under
  Subsection (c), a salvage pool operator shall notify the owner of
  the motor vehicle and any lienholder that:
               (1)  the owner or lienholder must remove the motor
  vehicle from the salvage pool operator's possession at the location
  specified in the notice to the owner and any lienholder not later
  than the 45th day after the date the notice is mailed; and
               (2)  if the motor vehicle is not removed within the time
  specified in the notice, the salvage pool operator will sell the
  motor vehicle and retain the proceeds of the sale.
         (e)  A salvage pool operator shall provide subsequent notice
  described by Subsection (d) to the owner of the motor vehicle and
  any lienholder not later than the 25th and 35th day after receiving
  notice under Subsection (c) if the motor vehicle was not removed
  after the preceding notice.
         (f)  The notice required of a salvage pool operator under
  this section must be sent by registered or certified mail, return
  receipt requested.
         (g)  If a motor vehicle is not removed from a salvage pool
  operator's possession before the 46th day after the date initial
  notice is mailed to the motor vehicle's owner and any lienholder
  under Subsection (d), the salvage pool operator may obtain from the
  department:
               (1)  a salvage vehicle title for a salvage motor
  vehicle; or
               (2)  a nonrepairable vehicle title for a nonrepairable
  motor vehicle.
         (h)  An application for a title under Subsection (g) must:
               (1)  be submitted to the department on a form
  prescribed by the department; and
               (2)  include evidence that the notice was mailed as
  required by Subsections (d) and (e), as applicable, to the motor
  vehicle owner and any lienholder.
         (i)  A title issued under this section must be issued in the
  name of the salvage pool operator.
         (j)  The department shall issue the appropriate title to a
  person authorized to apply for the title under this section if the
  department determines that the application is complete and complies
  with applicable law.
         (k)  On receipt of a title under this section for a motor
  vehicle described by Subsection (b), the salvage pool operator may
  sell the motor vehicle and retain the proceeds of the sale.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.