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SB 331

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 25 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO GARAGEKEEPER'S LIENS.

153rd General Assembly (2025-2026) Introduced by Eric Buckson and 3 co-sponsors

The bill updates garagekeeper’s lien rules to clarify when a lien can be claimed, how owners must be notified, and how liens may be enforced or sold to recover unpaid charges.

Introduced and Assigned to Elections & Government Affairs Committee in Senate
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Bill Summary · SB 331

Bill Summary – SB 331 (Session 153, Delaware)

Purpose and intent

SB 331 proposes amendments to Title 25 of the Delaware Code to modify provisions related to garagekeeper’s liens. The bill aims to adjust the existing framework governing how garagekeepers secure a lien on vehicles stored or serviced at garages or storage facilities, including requirements, procedures, and remedies available to meet contemporary needs of garage operators and vehicle owners.

Key provisions and changes

  • Garagekeeper’s lien scope and mechanics: The bill updates or clarifies the circumstances under which a garagekeeper may claim a lien on a vehicle for unpaid storage, labor, or related charges. This may include definitions of covered charges, timelines, and requirements for asserting the lien.
  • Notice and sale procedures: Provisions are likely added or refined regarding how notice must be given to vehicle owners and the manner in which a vehicle may be lawfully sold or auctioned to recover unpaid charges. This may specify notice contents, delivery method, and cure periods.
  • Priority and enforcement: The bill may address the priority of garagekeeper’s liens in relation to other encumbrances and outline the enforcement process, including any court involvement or administrative steps required to foreclose or satisfy the lien.
  • Employee and licensee responsibilities: Potentially updates to duties or disclosures by garages, storage facilities, or their agents to ensure compliance with lien processes, including record-keeping requirements.
  • Definitions and terminology: Clarifications or expansions of defined terms related to garagekeeping, lien rights, storage agreements, and related charges to reduce ambiguity in enforcement.

Who would be affected

  • Garagekeepers and storage facilities: Entities that store, maintain, or service vehicles and rely on liens to secure payment for storage or services.
  • Vehicle owners and liened parties: Individuals whose vehicles are stored or serviced and may be subject to a lien and potential sale if charges remain unpaid.
  • Judicial and administrative bodies: Courts or state agencies involved in overseeing lien enforcement, notices, and potential foreclosures or sales.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The bill would establish or revise timelines for:
    • Notification to vehicle owners about the lien and impending sale.
    • Cure periods or payment deadlines before lien enforcement.
    • Procedures for selling or disposing of liened vehicles, including any required public notice or bidding processes.
  • It may modify forms, records retention requirements, and the minimum information that must accompany lien notices.

Practical impact and considerations

  • The changes aim to balance the interests of garagekeepers seeking timely recovery of unpaid charges with protections for vehicle owners against improper or unfair lien actions.
  • The amendments could streamline or tighten the process for lien enforcement, potentially reducing disputes and clarifying procedural steps for both sides.
  • Depending on final text, there may be shifts in compliance obligations, potential costs for recordkeeping, and timelines that affect how quickly a garagekeeper can recover unpaid charges.

Status

  • Introduced and assigned to the Elections & Government Affairs Committee in the Senate on May 28, 2026.
  • Co-sponsors: Dave Wilson; Stell Selby; Bryan Townsend; Eric Buckson.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on specific aspects (e.g., procedural steps, impact on vehicle owners, or comparisons to current law) or add a side-by-side outline once the bill’s full text and committee amendments are available.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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