What changed in HF 777

6 passages reworded, 3 added and 0 removed; 2 of 11 unchanged.

Removed AddedIntroduced textText as passedAmendments

Compares wording only. The printed bills also mark changes to existing law with strikes and underlines, which aren’t shown here.

Section 1. Section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph a, Code 2025, 2026, is amended to read as follows:

a.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, an insurer may apply for and be issued a salvage certificate of title for a motor vehicle without surrendering the certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s statement of origin properly assigned if ownership of the vehicle was transferred, or will transfer, to the insurer pursuant to a settlement with the previous owner of the vehicle arising from circumstances involving damage to the vehicle, and at least thirty days have expired since the effective date of such settlement. To obtain a salvage certificate of title pursuant to this paragraph “a”, the insurer shall submit an application for a salvage certificate of title to any county treasurer. The application shall must be accompanied by an one of the following:

(2) To obtain a salvage certificate of title pursuant to this paragraph “a”, the insurer shall must submit an application for a salvage certificate of title to any county treasurer.

(a) An The application shall must be accompanied by an affidavit from the insurer in which the insurer certifies it has made at least two written attempts to obtain a properly assigned certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s statement of origin for the vehicle by contacting the previous owner of the vehicle and all lienholders of record by certified mail or a similar service that provides proof of service using a return receipt, and has been unable to obtain the title or statement of origin. The failure of a previous owner or lienholder to provide a properly assigned certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s statement of origin shall be deemed to be a waiver by the previous owner or lienholder of all rights, title, claim, and interest in the vehicle. The (b) If the owner transfers ownership of the vehicle to an insurer pursuant to a settlement arising from circumstances involving damage to or theft of the motor vehicle, one or more supporting documents, including but not limited to a power of attorney described in section 321.49, a duplicate certificate of title application for the vehicle owner, or an odometer statement required under section 321.71 to the extent permitted under 49 C.F.R.

(b) Notwithstanding chapter 9B, section 633B.105, or any other provision to the contrary, a supporting document submitted with the application, including but not limited to a power of attorney described in section 321.49, a replacement certificate of title application for the vehicle owner described in section 321.42, or an odometer statement required under section 321.71 if permitted under 49 C.F.R.

pt. 580, evidencing the transfer of ownership to the insurer. Notwithstanding chapter 9B, section 633B.105, or any other provision to the contrary, supporting documents may be signed and affirmed under penalty of perjury in lieu of a notarized signature and, in accordance with chapter 554D, the signature may be electronic. The affirmation under penalty of perjury is limited to the signature identifying the signer as the owner or the signer’s representation of the authority of the named agent to sign on the owner’s behalf. The insurer shall indemnify and hold harmless the department for any claims resulting from issuing a certificate of title, salvage certificate of title, or junking certificate pursuant to this subparagraph division. The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A to implement and administer this subparagraph division.

(2) An (c) The application shall made in accordance with subparagraph (1) must also be accompanied by the application fee required under paragraph “b”, and proof of payment of the total amount of the settlement by the insurer to the previous owner of the vehicle. Upon receiving an application that complies with this paragraph “a”, the county treasurer shall issue a salvage certificate of title to the insurer which shall be is free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership and shall must bear the word “SALVAGE” stamped or printed on the face of the title in a manner prescribed by the department.

(d) The department and a county treasurer may rely on representations made in a supporting document submitted under subparagraph division (b). The department or county treasurer is not liable to any person for such reliance if the department or county treasurer, as applicable, took reasonable steps to verify the validity of the supporting document prior to issuing the salvage certificate of title and had no knowledge that a representation in the document was incorrect at the time the title was issued.

Sec.

2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026. 2027.