West VirginiaAuto businesses can seek title to abandoned vehicles left at their locations
Licensed auto businesses can apply for title to certain abandoned vehicles left at their locations and sell them after receiving title and registration.
What it does
Eligible auto businesses can apply for title to abandoned vehicles left at their locations if the owner or lienholders cannot be identified or the vehicle remains unclaimed after notice. They can sell it after receiving title and registration.
Argument forEligible businesses could seek title to unclaimed vehicles left at their locations, then sell them after receiving title and registration.
Argument againstOwners or lienholders who cannot be found may lose their claim if the vehicle is sold after public notice and the claim period expires.
More detail
The law lets eligible businesses apply for title and registration, then sell the vehicle after receiving them. This applies to licensed motor vehicle dealers, licensed auto auctions, repair facilities, and towing companies registered with the Public Service Commission, when a vehicle is abandoned on their property or at their place of business. The business must pay the required fees. The vehicle must be left at the business and either its owner cannot be identified, required owner or lienholder information cannot be determined after publication, or the vehicle remains unclaimed after notice. The law took effect June 8, 2026. A business may sell the vehicle after receiving its title and registration.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 29Chapter 238, Acts, Regular Session, 2026Latest
- Mar 17Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/17/2026Major
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/17/2026 - House JournalMajor
- Mar 14Approved by Governor Patrick Morrisey 3/17/2026 - Senate JournalBecame Law
- Mar 11To Governor 3/11/2026 - Senate JournalTo Governor
- Mar 11To Governor 3/11/2026Minor
- Mar 10House received Senate message
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Completed legislative action
- Mar 10Communicated to House
- Mar 10Passed Senate (Roll No. 404)Passed Senate
- Mar 10Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 10On 3rd reading
- Mar 9Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 9On 2nd reading
- Mar 6Read 1st timeMinor
- Mar 6On 1st reading
- Mar 5Reported do passMinor
- Feb 17To Transportation and Infrastructure
- Feb 17To Transportation and Infrastructure
- Feb 17Introduced in SenateMinor
- Feb 16Communicated to Senate
- Vote recorded PASSAGE. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16Passed House (Roll No. 94)Passed House
- Feb 16Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 16On 3rd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 13Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 13On 2nd reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 12Read 1st timeMinor
- Feb 12On 1st reading, Special Calendar
- Feb 11Do pass
- Feb 9Markup Discussion
- Feb 6To House JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 5Markup Discussion
- Feb 5To House Legal ServicesMinor
- Jan 28To House JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 28Introduced in HouseMinor
- Jan 28To JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 28Filed for introductionIntroduced
TransportationConsumer Protection