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HB 2159

Motor Vehicles - As enacted, authorizes enforcement of a garagekeeper's lien on a motor vehicle that was stored for the purpose of repairs without express written authorization from the owner for such storage if the garagekeeper makes a good faith attempt to acquire consent prior to repairs and provides notice to the owner by certified mail. - Amends TCA Title 47; Title 55, Chapter 31 and Title 66, Chapter 19.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Dave Wright

Tennessee bill allows repair shops to enforce vehicle liens after good faith owner contact and certified notice, without prior written storage authorization.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 661
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Bill Summary · HB 2159

Legislative bill overview

HB 2159 permits auto repair shops (garagekeepers) to enforce liens on vehicles stored for repairs without the owner's prior written consent, provided the shop makes a good faith attempt to contact the owner and sends certified notice. The bill modifies Tennessee's lien and motor vehicle statutes to clarify these enforcement procedures.

Why is this important

This addresses a practical dispute scenario: repair shops sometimes hold vehicles when owners cannot be reached or dispute repair costs. The bill establishes clearer legal ground for shops to recover storage and repair costs through lien enforcement, potentially reducing financial losses for small repair businesses while also creating formal notice requirements to protect vehicle owners' rights.

Potential points of contention

  • Interpretation of "good faith attempt": The bill doesn't define what constitutes adequate effort to contact owners, creating potential disputes over whether a shop met this threshold before proceeding with liens.
  • Consumer protection concerns: Vehicle owners may lose possession of their cars before disputes are fully resolved, particularly if notices go astray or owners miss certified mail deadlines.
  • Scope of authorization: The phrase "without express written authorization" could conflict with implied consent scenarios or verbal agreements, leaving ambiguity about what constitutes valid owner approval.

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

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