AB 484

Under current law, a person may not purchase or bid on a motor vehicle from

a motor vehicle salvage pool unless the person holds a valid buyer identification

(BID) card issued by the Department of Transportation (DOT), the person displays

the BID card to the salvage pool, and the person includes the BID card number on

any bid submitted to the salvage pool. A motor vehicle salvage pool sells or

distributes damaged motor vehicles at wholesale, generally by auction. BID cards

are available only to motor vehicle dealers, wholesalers, and salvage dealers licensed

in this state or another state and to their employees. BID cards must contain the full

name, business and residence address, and a brief description of the card holder, as

well as the card holder's buyer identification number. The motor vehicle salvage pool

may not accept a bid or complete a sales transaction unless the bidder satisfies the

foregoing requirements. The motor vehicle salvage pool must also establish and

maintain, in compliance with standards established by DOT, a record of each motor

vehicle sold. DOT may also inspect the books and records of BID card holders, at the

cost of the card holder. This bill eliminates BID cards and all associated

requirements and restrictions specific to the purchase of motor vehicles from a

salvage pool.

Also under current law, a "junk vehicle" is defined as a vehicle that is incapable

of highway operation and has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap or

that an insurance company has taken possession of or title to because the cost of

repairing the vehicle exceeds its value. This bill changes the definition of "junk

vehicle" to mean a vehicle that has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap

and that has been designated by the owner as a source of parts or scrap.