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H. B. No. 1441 *HR26/R1812* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
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To: Ports, Harbors and
Airports
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representative Owen
HOUSE BILL NO. 1441
AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 61-3-65, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1
1972, TO AUTHORIZE AIRPORT AUTHORITIES TO TAKE POSSESSION OF, 2
OBTAIN TITLE TO, AND DISPOSE OF ABANDONED MOTOR VEHICLES LEFT UPON 3
AIRPORT PROPERTY; TO SET FORTH NOTICE REQUIREMENTS; TO AUTHORIZE 4
SALE, DISPOSAL, OR RETENTION FOR AIRPORT USE; AND FOR RELATED 5
PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 61-3-8
65, Mississippi Code of 1972: 9
61-3-65. Abandoned Motor Vehicles on Airport Property. 10
(1) Any airport authority created pursuant to Section 61-3-1 11
et seq., is authorized and empowered to take possession of any 12
motor vehicle that has been abandoned and left upon property 13
owned, operated, or controlled by the airport authority when the 14
owner of the motor vehicle cannot be located or after proper 15
notice as provided in this section. 16
(2) Before taking title to an abandoned motor vehicle under 17
this section, the airport authority shall: 18
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(a) Make reasonable efforts to determine the name and 19
address of the last registered owner of the vehicle and any 20
lienholders of record; 21
(b) Send written notice, by certified mail, return 22
receipt requested, to the last known address of the registered 23
owner and any lienholders advising that the vehicle has been 24
deemed abandoned, is subject to sale, and will be disposed of 25
unless claimed and all towing, storage, and related charges are 26
paid within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice; and 27
(c) Cause a notice of abandonment to be published once 28
in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the 29
vehicle is located at least ten (10) days before the date of the 30
sale or other disposition. 31
(3) If the vehicle is not claimed and all charges are not 32
paid within the required time, title to the vehicle shall vest in 33
the airport authority, and the authority may: 34
(a) Sell the vehicle at public auction to the highest 35
and best bidder for cash; 36
(b) Otherwise dispose of the vehicle in a commercially 37
reasonable manner; or 38
(c) Retain the vehicle for official airport use, 39
including, but not limited to, airfield maintenance, security, 40
operations, or other authorized governmental purposes. 41
(4) The proceeds of any sale under this section shall be 42
applied: 43
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ST: Airport authorities; authorize to take
certain measures upon abandoned motor vehicles
left on airport property.
(a) First, to the costs of towing, storage, notice, and 44
sale; and 45
(b) Any remaining balance shall be held for the owner 46
of record for ninety (90) days. If unclaimed after that time, the 47
balance shall be deposited into the general operating fund of the 48
airport authority. 49
(5) The authority granted under this section is supplemental 50
to, and does not limit, any other rights or remedies available to 51
airport authorities under state law for the removal or disposition 52
of abandoned vehicles. 53
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force upon 54
passage. 55