Committee advances bill to shorten repossession storage period to 30 days and define when a repossession is complete

The Regulated Industries Committee on Thursday advanced HB 1134, a bill that would shorten the unpaid storage period for repossessed vehicles from 70 days to 30 days and add a statutory definition of when a repossession is complete.

Representative New introduced the bill, saying it brings Georgia in line with neighboring states and industry practice. "Georgia currently is they hold your personal property for 70 days with 2 notices required," the sponsor said, noting surrounding states typically require shorter holding periods. The bill would remove the requirement for a second notice when the storage period is reduced.

Richard Grosvenor of Speedy Recovery Services, appearing with the Georgia Association of Licensed Repossessors, told the committee that the lack of a clear statutory end point for repossession creates safety and liability problems in the field. "When we're in the field and we go to repossess a vehicle... we don't know when our job is perfected," Grosvenor said, describing situations where agents are obstructed or threatened and arguing that possession should be clear when the vehicle is attached to a tow truck or moved from its original location.

Members questioned how notice is delivered and when the 30‑day clock would start; witnesses described current practice as certified mail to the last known address and said lienholders typically also notify debtors. Repossessor witnesses said fewer than 30% of people redeem property after notice, a statistic they said informed the proposal.

After brief questions and acknowledgement of witnesses, the committee moved, seconded, and carried a voice vote to send HB 1134 to the Rules Committee.

Next steps: HB 1134 was reported to Rules; no formal roll‑call tally was recorded in the committee transcript.