1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to transportation; governing contents of impounded vehicles; amending 
1.3 	Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 168B.06, subdivision 1; 168B.07, by adding 
1.4 	subdivisions.
1.5 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.6 	Section 1. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 168B.06, subdivision 1, is amended to read:
1.7 		Subdivision 1.Contents; notice given within five days. When an impounded 
1.8 	vehicle is taken into custody, the unit of government or impound lot operator taking it 
1.9 	into custody shall give notice to the vehicle owner of the taking within five days. The 
1.10 	notice shall:
1.11 	 ~~(a)~~(1) set forth the date and place of the taking, the year, make, model and serial 
1.12 	number of the impounded motor vehicle if such information can be reasonably obtained 
1.13 	and the place where the vehicle is being held~~,~~;
1.14 	~~(b)~~(2) inform the vehicle owner and any lienholders of their right to reclaim the 
1.15 	vehicle under section  168B.07~~, and~~;
1.16 	~~(c)~~ (3) state that failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise their right to reclaim 
1.17 	the vehicle ~~and contents~~ within the appropriate time allowed under section  168B.051, 
1.18 	subdivision 1, 1a, or 2, shall be deemed a waiver by them of all right, title, and interest in 
1.19 	the vehicle and remaining contents and a consent to the transfer of title to and disposal or 
1.20 	sale of the vehicle and remaining contents pursuant to section  168B.08~~.~~; and 
1.21 	(4) state: ??a????You have the right to pick up your contents from your car, whether or 
1.22 	not you give up the right to reclaim your car.  But if you are NOT going to reclaim your 
1.23 	car, after you get your contents, you must immediately (or as soon as possible) transfer 
2.1 	title to the car to the impound lot operator or city. This will save money for you and the 
2.2 	impound lot operator or the city."

2.3 	Sec. 2. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 168B.07, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.4 	to read:
2.5 		Subd. 3.Retrieval of contents; liability. (a) A unit of government or impound 
2.6 	lot operator shall establish a reasonable procedure for retrieval of vehicle contents. At 
2.7 	any time before the expiration of the waiting periods provided in section 168B.051, 
2.8 	subdivision 1, 1a, or 2, the owner of an impounded vehicle has the right to retrieve, 
2.9 	without charge, any and all contents. For the purposes of this subdivision, "contents" 
2.10 	means all personal belongings and does not include any mechanical or nonmechanical 
2.11 	automobile parts or automobile body parts, or any automobile accessories, including audio 
2.12 	or video players, temporarily or permanently affixed to the vehicle. 
2.13 	(b) An impound lot operator who violates this subdivision, or section 168B.06, 
2.14 	subdivision 1, is liable to an aggrieved party for the greater of $500 or treble damages, 
2.15 	plus reasonable attorney fees and costs.

2.16 	Sec. 3. Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 168B.07, is amended by adding a subdivision 
2.17 	to read:
2.18 		Subd. 4.Voluntary renunciation. Notwithstanding section 168B.051, subdivision 
2.19 	1, 1a, or 2, an owner who voluntarily renounces the right to reclaim an impounded vehicle 
2.20 	shall immediately, or as soon as reasonably practicable, transfer title to the impound lot 
2.21 	operator or unit of government.