Sec. 59.109. DELINQUENT RENTAL; LIEN; SALE OF CONTENTS

(a) If the rental for a safe deposit box is delinquent for at least six months, the safe deposit company may send notice to each lessee that the company will remove the contents of the box if the rent is not paid before the date specified in the notice, which may not be earlier than the 60th day after the date the notice is delivered or sent. If the rent is not paid before the date specified in the notice, the safe deposit company may open the box in the presence of two employees, at least one of whom is an officer or manager of the safe deposit company and at least one of whom is a notary public. The safe deposit company shall inventory the contents of the box in detail as provided by the comptroller's reporting instructions and place the contents of the box in a sealed envelope or container bearing the name of the lessee.

(b) The safe deposit company has a lien on the contents of the box for an amount equal to the rental owed for the box and the cost of opening the box. The safe deposit company may retain possession of the contents. If the rental and the cost of opening the box are not paid before the second anniversary of the date the box was opened, the safe deposit company may sell all or part of the contents at public auction in the manner and with the notice prescribed by Section 51.002, Property Code, for the sale of real property under a deed of trust. Any unsold contents of the box and any excess proceeds from a sale of contents shall be remitted to the comptroller as provided by Chapters 72-75, Property Code.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1008, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.