Chapter 489

2007 -- S 0862

Enacted 07/06/07

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES

Introduced By: Senator Maryellen Goodwin

Date Introduced: March 20, 2007

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-46-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-46 entitled "Rhode

Island Salvage Law" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-46-3. Salvage by non-insurer. -- If any person, individual, or corporation or other

owner declares it economically impractical to repair a motor vehicle, that If the total cost of

repairs to rebuild or reconstruct the motor vehicle to its condition immediately before it was

wrecked, destroyed or damaged, and for legal operations on the roads or highways, exceeds

seventy-five percent (75%) of the fair market value of the motor vehicle immediately preceding

the time it was wrecked, destroyed or damaged, and the motor vehicle is less than seven (7) years

beyond the date of manufacture, the owner shall return within ten (10) days to the division of

motor vehicles, the certificate of title of that vehicle and obtain a salvage certificate of title for

that vehicle as prescribed for by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. For the

purposes of this section, "fair market value" shall mean the retail value of a motor vehicle as set

forth in a current edition of any nationally recognized compilation of retail values, including

automated databases, or from publications commonly used by the automotive industry to

establish the values of motor vehicles, or determined pursuant to market survey of comparable

vehicles with regard to condition and equipment. If any person, individual, or corporation or other

owner sells the motor vehicle for any reason, that owner shall make application for a salvage

certificate of title. The division of motor vehicles shall issue the salvage certificate of title on a

form prescribed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles that shall be of a color

easily distinguished from the original certificate of title and shall bear the same number and

information as the original certificate of title. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles

shall charge the owner a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the cost of processing each

salvage certificate of title.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02628

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