AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 39-05-05 and section 39-05-20 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to obtaining a new vehicle certificate of title, an application for a certificate of title, and the removal of number plates on a vehicle.
Senate Bill No. 2247 amends existing statutes regarding the process for obtaining a new vehicle certificate of title in North Dakota. The bill outlines the necessary information required for an application, including vehicle details, ownership statements, and identification requirements for the owner. It also establishes procedures for situations where a transferee cannot obtain a properly assigned certificate of title, allowing for the issuance of a new title under specific conditions, such as when an insurer has paid a total loss claim or when a vehicle is donated to a tax-exempt organization.
Additionally, the bill specifies the requirements for satisfactory proof of ownership depending on the age of the vehicle and the status of the transferee. For vehicles less than forty years old, proof of payment and attempts to contact the previous owner are necessary, while for older vehicles, a bill of sale or an affidavit of ownership suffices. The bill also allows the department to cancel old titles and issue new ones under certain conditions, ensuring that the rights of existing lienholders are considered.
The passage of SB2247 will modernize and clarify the process for obtaining vehicle titles in North Dakota, potentially reducing bureaucratic hurdles for vehicle owners and dealers. It will impact state laws related to vehicle registration and ownership transfer, particularly in cases of lost titles or vehicles with complex ownership histories. The amendments aim to streamline the process for both individuals and organizations, ensuring that ownership can be established and transferred more efficiently while maintaining protections for lienholders.
The sentiment around SB2247 appears to be overwhelmingly positive, as indicated by the unanimous votes in both the Senate (47-0) and the House (94-0). There have been no recorded objections or significant points of contention during the discussions, suggesting that lawmakers view the bill as a necessary update to existing vehicle title laws.
While there are no notable points of contention reported in the discussions or voting history for SB2247, the bill's provisions regarding the cancellation of old titles and the issuance of new ones could raise concerns among some lienholders about the security of their claims. However, the bill includes measures to protect lienholder rights, which may mitigate potential disputes.