MississippiSB 28482026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Towing and sale of motor vehicles; revise records and notification requirements related to.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Faster notices, quicker vehicle auctions

Beginning July 1, 2026, if the owner has not contacted the tow company within two business days, the company must get owner and lienholder names and addresses. Using an approved vendor, it must mail a certified notice by day seven after the tow. Vendors must list towed vehicles on a public website for at least two straight weeks before sale, hide personal details, and offer optional alerts. Tow companies must also publish a sale notice in the local newspaper for two weeks. If the vehicle is not redeemed within 10 days after the second certified letter is mailed, the company may start a public auction.

New rules for notice vendors

Beginning July 1, 2026, third-party notice vendors must be approved by the Department of Revenue, keep a $1,000,000 bond, and submit a CPA audit of internal controls and data security each year. Vendors must check title and lien data, generate and mail certified notices in the Department’s data format, post required details online, keep records for five years, and allow Department inspections. The Department can deny, suspend, or revoke approval for fraud or misrepresentation. Motor vehicle dealers are exempt from having to use a vendor for certain abandoned-vehicle notices. If no claim is made within 30 days and a vehicle will be scrapped, with proof and a signed attestation, the Department removes any liens from the state registration system.

Stronger notice before abandoned-vehicle sales

Beginning July 1, 2026, the last-known owner and all lienholders must get registered or certified mail with the sale date, time, place, and the custodian’s name, when that information is reasonably obtainable. If the owner’s identity or address cannot be reasonably found, notice by newspaper once a week for three weeks is enough. Vendor websites must show abandoned-vehicle notices for at least three straight weeks before auction. When an approved vendor sends notices, lienholders must be notified within seven days after receipt of the vehicle.

Towing limits and fee waivers

Beginning July 1, 2026, only the vehicle owner, a police officer, or the property owner (or their designee) can request a tow. Tow companies must write down who requested the tow and their contact info at the time of the request. If they do not, all towing and storage fees are waived unless the owner asked for the tow. Tow companies must tell local law enforcement about a tow within 24 hours, unless the owner requested it. They must keep accurate tow records for three years. If a company does not make a good faith effort to follow these rules, it cannot charge towing or storage fees.

Where excess auction money goes

Beginning July 1, 2026, any sale money left after towing, storage, and necessary expenses is held by the tow company for six months. If no one claims it in that time, the money goes to the county general fund, or to a town’s general fund if the town has opted in. After an abandoned-property sale, the seller must promptly give the chancery clerk an itemized report and a sworn statement with the possession and sale dates.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Josh Harkins
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 335 • No: 7

House vote • 4/1/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 121 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2026

Conference Report Adopted

Yes: 48 • No: 4

House vote • 3/10/2026

Passed As Amended

Yes: 117 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/11/2026