§1728.3. Procedure for disposal of certain vehicles deemed abandoned by municipality or parish

            A. This Section provides a procedure for disposing of certain vehicles. The procedure provided for in this Section shall be an alternative to the procedures set forth in R.S. 32:1728, 1728.2, and 1728.4. When a vehicle is eligible for disposal pursuant to the provisions of this Section, the provisions of R.S. 32:1728, 1728.2, and 1728.4 shall not apply to the disposal of that vehicle.

            B. As used in this Section, "owner-operator" means a person or legal entity who owns or operates a business engaged in the towing or storage of vehicles, and has a vehicle licensed as a towing vehicle pursuant to R.S. 32:1716.

            C. In order to utilize the provisions of this Section, the owner-operator shall take possession of the vehicle at the request of a municipality or parish acting pursuant to R.S. 32:473.1 and the vehicle shall have an appraisal with a fair market value of five hundred dollars or less. The appraisal shall be based on the rough trade-in value of the vehicle as determined by the most recent National Automobile Dealers Association Guide.

            D.(1) Each owner-operator who possesses a vehicle that meets the criteria set forth in Subsection C of this Section may crush or dismantle the vehicle provided the owner-operator satisfies each of the following requirements:

            (a) The owner-operator has complied with the provisions of R.S. 32:1719 and 1720.

            (b) The owner-operator has the vehicle physically inspected by a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified law enforcement officer who has been trained and certified by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, to inspect vehicles to be crushed or dismantled.

            (c) The owner-operator obtains an appraisal showing the vehicle has a fair market value of five hundred dollars or less. The appraisal shall be based on the rough trade-in value of the vehicle as determined by the most recent National Automobile Dealers Association Guide.

            (d) The owner-operator takes a photograph of all four sides of the vehicle prior to crushing or dismantling.

            (2) At the expiration of thirty days after mailing the notice, by certificate of mailing, required by R.S. 32:1720, the owner-operator may crush or dismantle the vehicle.

            E. Within seven business days following the crushing or dismantling of the vehicle, the owner-operator shall execute an affidavit, on the form provided by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of motor vehicles, and forward it to the office of motor vehicles, by certificate of mailing, providing the following information:

            (1) That a vehicle has been crushed or dismantled.

            (2) A description of the vehicle to be crushed and each part to be dismantled for salvage.

            (3) The vehicle identification number.

            (4) The findings of the physical inspection required by Subparagraph (D)(1)(b) of this Section.

            (5) A photograph of all four sides of the vehicle prior to crushing or dismantling.

            F.(1) The owner-operator shall maintain the following records on all vehicles crushed or dismantled pursuant to the provisions of this Section:

            (a) A completed physical inspection form as prepared by a Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) certified law enforcement officer who has been trained and certified by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, office of state police, to inspect vehicles to be crushed or dismantled.

            (b) One appraisal showing the vehicle has a fair market value of five hundred dollars or less. The appraisal shall be based on the rough trade-in value of the vehicle as determined by the most recent National Automobile Dealers Association Guide.

            (c) A photograph of all four sides of the vehicle prior to crushing or dismantling.

            (d) A copy of the original report of a stored vehicle as required in R.S. 32:1719.

            (e) Some manner of documentation of the request of the municipality or parish directing that the vehicle be removed.

            (f) A copy of the notice required by R.S. 32:1720 that was sent to the registered owner of the vehicle, the holder of any lien on the vehicle, and any other person with an ownership interest in the vehicle.

            (g) The original signed post office receipt of delivery if the notice required to be sent by this Section has been delivered; or the returned unopened envelope with the postal marking indicating attempt to deliver the notice required by R.S. 32:1720. If either of these items could not be furnished, other documented proof that the storage or parking facility owner sent notice to the stored vehicle owner shall be retained by the owner-operator.

            (2) These records shall be open to inspection by any peace officer any time the business is open. All records required by this Section shall be maintained for a period of at least three years.

            G. The municipality or parish shall not incur any liability as a result of the disposal of a vehicle pursuant to these provisions.

            Acts 1999, No. 459, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1097, §1; Acts 2003, No. 101, §1; Acts 2009, No. 435, §1, eff. July 1, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 19, §1; Acts 2021, No. 206, §1, eff. June 11, 2021.