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AB 415

Revises provisions governing the towing of motor vehicles. (BDR 43-821)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Max Carter and 5 co-sponsors

AB 415 tightens junk-vehicle rules: raises junk certificate to $500, shortens notices, enables expedited hearings, and bans false tow-location reports.

Chapter 329.
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Bill Summary · AB 415

AB 415 (BDR 43‑821) — Summary

Chaptered as Chapter 329 (2025)

Purpose

AB 415 revises Nevada law governing the handling, disposition, and administrative processing of motor vehicles abandoned on public or private property — with particular focus on “junk vehicles,” the issuance of junk certificates, and the practices of tow operators and automobile wreckers. The bill also tightens requirements and penalties related to tow operators misrepresenting their location to law enforcement.

Key provisions and changes

  • Notice for apparently abandoned junk vehicles (NRS 487.230, 487.235)

    • Authorizes certain persons (law enforcement agencies, state/local agencies, tow car operators, automobile wreckers, or property owners/agents) to affix a conspicuous notice to an apparently abandoned, unregistered vehicle that appears likely to be a junk vehicle and whose owner is unknown or not readily ascertainable.
    • Requires the notice to state the vehicle is subject to being junked, dismantled, or otherwise disposed of if not removed from the property within 7 days (amendment changed earlier 5‑day period to 7 days).
    • Notice must include date/time affixed and inform the owner they may request an expedited hearing in local justice court to contest the classification as an abandoned junk vehicle.

  • Junk certificate issuance and appraisal (NRS 487.260 / DMV)

    • Increases the scrap‑value threshold for issuance of a junk certificate from $200 to $500 (vehicle’s value principally as scrap).
    • Authorizes the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a junk certificate when a vehicle is appraised as a junk vehicle by an automobile wrecker or tow operator in accordance with DMV regulations.

  • Disposal and notification duties

    • When the notice is affixed and the vehicle is unregistered and appraised as a junk vehicle, the person or agency that authorized removal and the tow operator are relieved from certain statutory duties that otherwise require additional owner‑identification inquiries and mailed notifications. The authorizing person/agency must provide contact information for the wrecker/tow operator if contacted by an owner.

  • Tow operator location reporting & enforcement (NRS 706.4485 / lists)

    • Prohibits tow operators from using software, devices, or other means to falsely report the location of the operator or tow car to a law enforcement agency (or its agents) to obtain towing requests.
    • Requires the law enforcement agency to remove from its list of authorized tow operators any operator who violates this prohibition for one year.
    • Expands certain protections/applicability (previously limited to the Nevada Highway Patrol) to all law enforcement agencies.

Who is affected

  • Tow operators and automobile wreckers (appraisal authority, conduct rules, penalties)
  • Law enforcement agencies and state/local agencies (procedures for removal and lists of tow operators)
  • Private property owners and managers who request removals
  • Vehicle owners and lienholders (shortened notice/appeal procedures for declared junk vehicles)
  • Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (rulemaking, junk certificates)

Procedural timeline / status

  • Introduced: March 12, 2025 (referred to Growth & Infrastructure)
  • Passed Assembly and Senate; enrolled and delivered to Governor May 31, 2025
  • Approved by Governor: June 5, 2025
  • Chaptered: Chapter 329 on June 6, 2025
  • Fiscal note: No fiscal effect on local government; some state fiscal effect noted.

Notes / considerations

  • The bill shortens certain owner‑notification burdens in cases where vehicles are unregistered, readily appraised as junk, and posted with the 7‑day notice, but preserves due process via an expedited hearing right.
  • The increase in the junk‑value threshold (to $500) and authorization for wrecker/tow appraisals (per DMV rules) may expedite disposition of low‑value vehicles and reduce storage/administrative costs.

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

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