House File 777 S-5110 Amend House File 777, as passed by the House, as follows: 1 1. By striking everything after the enacting clause and 2 inserting: 3 < Section 1. Section 321.52, subsection 4, paragraph a, Code 4 2026, is amended to read as follows: 5 a. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the 6 contrary, an insurer may apply for and be issued a salvage 7 certificate of title for a motor vehicle without surrendering 8 the certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s 9 statement of origin properly assigned if ownership of the 10 vehicle was transferred, or will transfer, to the insurer 11 pursuant to a settlement with the previous owner of the vehicle 12 arising from circumstances involving damage to the vehicle, and 13 at least thirty days have expired since the effective date of 14 such settlement. 15 (2) To obtain a salvage certificate of title pursuant to 16 this paragraph “a” , the insurer shall must submit an application 17 for a salvage certificate of title to any county treasurer. 18 (a) The application shall must be accompanied by an 19 affidavit from the insurer in which the insurer certifies it 20 has made at least two written attempts to obtain a properly 21 assigned certificate of title or manufacturer’s or importer’s 22 statement of origin for the vehicle by contacting the previous 23 owner of the vehicle and all lienholders of record by certified 24 mail or a similar service that provides proof of service using 25 a return receipt, and has been unable to obtain the title 26 or statement of origin. The failure of a previous owner or 27 lienholder to provide a properly assigned certificate of title 28 or manufacturer’s or importer’s statement of origin shall be 29 deemed to be a waiver by the previous owner or lienholder of 30 all rights, title, claim, and interest in the vehicle. 31 (b) Notwithstanding chapter 9B, section 633B.105, or 32 any other provision to the contrary, a supporting document 33 submitted with the application, including but not limited to a 34 power of attorney described in section 321.49, a replacement 35 -1- HF 777.2261 (2) 91 th/ns 1/ 2 #1.
certificate of title application for the vehicle owner 1 described in section 321.42, or an odometer statement required 2 under section 321.71 if permitted under 49 C.F.R. pt. 580, may 3 be signed and affirmed under penalty of perjury in lieu of a 4 notarized signature and, in accordance with chapter 554D, the 5 signature may be electronic. The affirmation under penalty of 6 perjury is limited to the signature identifying the signer as 7 the owner or the signer’s representation of the authority of 8 the named agent to sign on the owner’s behalf. 9 (c) The application shall must also be accompanied by the 10 application fee required under paragraph “b” , and proof of 11 payment of the total amount of the settlement by the insurer 12 to the previous owner of the vehicle. Upon receiving an 13 application that complies with this paragraph “a” , the county 14 treasurer shall issue a salvage certificate of title to the 15 insurer which shall be is free and clear of all liens and 16 claims of ownership and shall must bear the word “SALVAGE” 17 stamped or printed on the face of the title in a manner 18 prescribed by the department. 19 (d) The insurer shall indemnify and hold harmless the 20 department or a county treasurer, as applicable, for any 21 claims resulting from issuing a certificate of title, salvage 22 certificate of title, or junking certificate, or the addition 23 or release of a lien from a title pursuant to this subparagraph 24 (2). The insurer shall indemnify the vehicle owner by up to 25 two times the actual cash value of the vehicle settlement for 26 any damages resulting from use of the electronic signature in 27 accordance with this subparagraph (2). 28 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect January 1, 29 2027. > 30 ______________________________ COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION DAN ZUMBACH, CHAIRPERSON -2- HF 777.2261 (2) 91 th/ns 2/ 2