The subject bill amends the New York State Lien Law, in connection with sale of vehicles to satisfy a lien.  It allows for a notice that the property will be sold to satisfy a lien to be sent to the owner of the vehicle by mail if it is worth less than five hundred dollars.  Current law permits this process if the vehicle is worth less than one hundred dollars before it can be sold at a private sale. A motor vehicle sold under the provisions of the current law or this proposed amendment cannot be re-titled and must be sold to a registered vehicle dismantler or scrap processor licensed the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Existing law allows for a vehicle valued at less than $100.00 can be sold at a private sale.  This law was enacted in 1968. By today’s standard the vehicle’s value would be over $500.00 today.  This bill simply adjusts for inflation. Also, under current law a business must wait six month to place lean on a vehicle this bill shorten that time to thirty days.

This legislation, should it become law, protects the consumer as well.  The vehicle can only be sold to a licensed dismantler or scrap processor. It provides additional protection to consumers by mandating that notices be filed with the Department of Motor Vehicles that the stated value of a motor vehicle is accurate.

The Service Stations & Repair Shop Operators of Upstate New York and the statewide membership of the New York State Association of Service Stations and Repair Shops, Inc., support this legislation and urge it become law.v