Sec. 59.0445. NOTICE TO OWNER AND LIENHOLDERS

(a) This section applies to the enforcement of a lien under this chapter on:

(1) a motor vehicle subject to Chapter 501, Transportation Code;

(2) a motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor for which a certificate of title is required under Subchapter B, Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife Code; or

(3) a motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor registered or titled outside this state.

(b) In addition to the notices required by Sections 59.042 and 59.044, not later than the 30th day after the date the lessor takes possession of the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor to enforce a lien under this chapter, the lessor shall give written notice of sale to the last known owner and each holder of a lien recorded on the registration or certificate of title of the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor or, if the registration or title is outside this state, the owner and each lienholder of record in the location in which the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor is registered or titled.

(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d), the notice required by this section must be sent by verified mail. Notice by verified mail is considered mailed when the notice, properly addressed with postage prepaid, is deposited with the United States Postal Service or a common carrier. The notice must include:

(1) the amount of the charges secured by the lien;

(2) a request for payment; and

(3) a statement that if the charges are not paid in full before the 31st day after the date the notice is mailed or published, as applicable, the property may be sold at public auction.

(d) The notice required by this section may be given by publishing the notice once in a print or electronic version of a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor is stored if:

(1) the lessor submits a written request by verified mail to the governmental entity with which the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor is registered or titled requesting information relating to the identity of the last known owner of record and any lienholder of record;

(2) the lessor:

(A) is advised in writing by the governmental entity with which the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor is registered or titled that the entity is unwilling or unable to provide information on the last known owner of record or any lienholder of record; or

(B) does not receive a response from the governmental entity with which the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor is registered or titled on or before the 21st day after the date the lessor submits the request;

(3) the identity of the last known owner of record cannot be determined;

(4) the registration or title does not contain an address for the last known owner of record; and

(5) the lessor cannot determine the identities and addresses of the lienholders of record.

(e) The lessor is not required to publish notice under Subsection (d) if a correctly addressed notice is sent with sufficient postage in accordance with Subsections (b) and (c) and is returned as unclaimed or refused or with a notation that the addressee is unknown or has moved without leaving a forwarding address or the forwarding order has expired.

(f) After notice is given under this section to the owner of or the holder of a lien on the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor, the owner or lienholder may take possession of the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor by paying all charges due to the lessor before the 31st day after the date the notice is mailed or published as provided by this section.

(g) If the charges are not paid before the 31st day after the date the notice is mailed or published, as applicable, the lessor may sell the motor vehicle, motorboat, vessel, or outboard motor at a public sale and apply the proceeds to the charges.

(h) A person commits an offense if the person knowingly provides false or misleading information in a notice required by this section. An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor.

Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 405 , Sec. 6, eff. January 1, 2012.