A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to limit the amount of storage fees that certain parties are responsible for when a motor vehicle is impounded after a crash.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 20‑166.3.  Limit storage fees for vehicle damaged as a result of a crash.
"(a)	Limited Duration of Storage. – A motor vehicle that is towed and stored by a law enforcement agency following a collision may be held for evidence for not more than 20 days without a court order. Absent a court order, the vehicle must be released to the vehicle owner, insurer, or lien holder upon payment of the towing and storage fees. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a motor vehicle owner, the insurer of the motor vehicle, and any other person with an ownership interest in the motor vehicle shall not be liable for storage charges in excess of the sum of five hundred dollars ($500.00).
(b)	Application. – This section shall not apply to a motor vehicle (i) seized as a result of a violation of law or (ii) abandoned by the owner."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2015, and applies to motor vehicles impounded on or after that date.